Paddy Pimblett makes damning claim about Ilia Topuria's career amid shocking health update

UFC lightweight contender Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett has made a damning claim about his long-time rival Ilia Topuria after the Spanish-Georgian's coach provided an update on the fighter's health.

Topuria lost his UFC lightweight title to American Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 on June 14.

Despite coming into the contest as the heavy favourite, Topuria could not match his opponent's intensity.

After a brutal beatdown, a bloodied and bruised Topuria retired on his stool between rounds four and five, surrendering his title.

Following the fight, reports initially suggested Topuria had suffered broken orbital bones.

READ NEXT: Dustin Poirier admits he 'needs help' as bodycam footage of arrest emerges

However, it was later confirmed that he had sustained non-displaced fractures.

In the days after the fight, Topuria congratulated Gaethje on his victory before adding: "You took the sight from my right eye in the first round, and by the end of the second, from my left too."

On June 25, an update on Topuria's health finally emerged from his strength and conditioning coach, Jesus Gallo.

During an interview with Serebro En los Deportes, he said: "Day by day, he already looks like a completely different person.

"He looks like he wasn't even in a fight, honestly.

"All the swelling in his face has gone down, and all the bruising he had has disappeared.

"What the doctor told us was that within six to eight weeks, it should heal properly, especially because there was no displaced fracture.

"After that, for him to start wrestling again and training, it'll take a little while for it to fully heal.

"I think we're talking about at least two to three months, easily.

"If you saw us in a rematch or another fight, it would be towards the end of the year, in December. Who knows? We'll see."

Pimblett makes damning Topuria claim

Pimblett, who has been a long-time rival of the former lightweight champion and lost to Gaethje last time out at UFC 324, has claimed Topuria will never be the same fighter after suffering such a brutal defeat.

Speaking on Demetrious Johnson's podcast, the Scouser said: "Ilia's never had to come back from adversity. Ilia's only ever been the hammer. He's never been the nail. That's why, after that fight with Justin that I had, I knew I could come back stronger and better because I've done it before.

"I don't think Ilia Topuria ever comes back the same. His whole mantra, his whole ego, is like, 'I'm undefeated. No one can beat me,' having celebrations the night before the fight. I just don't think he'll ever be the same. He's never had to come back from anything like that. I've had to face adversity before. I'd happily be his first fight back."

Pimblett returns in the co-main event of UFC 330, where he takes on Benoit Saint Denis.

Topuria and Pimblett have been rivals for several years, with their feud dating back to 2021 after the Englishman made unsavoury remarks about Georgians on social media.

In 2022, the pair became embroiled in a confrontation at a London hotel.

Topuria approached Pimblett, who was standing behind a table, before the pair exchanged words.

‘The Baddy’ then threw a bottle of hand sanitiser at Topuria's head before ‘El Matador’ attempted to attack him.

Several members of both teams intervened while the pair continued to trade verbal insults.

Despite rumours of the pair facing off in the Octagon ever since, they have yet to fight.