The UFC lightweight division is heating up, but not in the way Paddy Pimblett had hoped. The Liverpudlian has been loudly campaigning for a grudge match with the newly crowned lightweight king Ilia Topuria, but a bombshell leak from the champion’s manager suggests that Pimblett’s dream may be slipping further out of reach. Instead, Topuria may be heading toward a showdown with former interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 322 in Madison Square Garden this November.

Topuria’s Rise and the Confrontation With Pimblett

When Ilia Topuria captured the lightweight title by knocking out Charles Oliveira in the opening round at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025, it seemed like the stars were aligning for his long-brewing rivalry with Pimblett to finally explode inside the Octagon.

Moments after the victory, Pimblett stormed the cage, confronting Topuria face-to-face in a heated exchange that forced security to intervene. Cameras caught the dramatic shove from Topuria that sent shockwaves through the MMA world, and many assumed the UFC had its next big-money fight ready to go.

Pimblett, riding a wave of popularity in both the UK and U.S., seemed like the perfect foil for Topuria, whose outspoken confidence and undefeated record have made him one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars. Their rivalry dated back years, fueled by social media spats, backstage altercations, and now an in-cage confrontation.

But UFC president Dana White poured cold water on the excitement. He quickly clarified that the cage altercation was “off script” and insisted Pimblett was not yet in line for a title shot.

The Manager’s Bombshell: Topuria vs Gaethje

Despite Pimblett’s persistence, the direction of Topuria’s first title defense appears to be shifting elsewhere. On August 26, 2025, Lukasz Orzel, Topuria’s manager, posted on Instagram a message that set the MMA community buzzing:

“Say Goodnight Gaethje… #AndStill #UFC322.”

Though the post was deleted shortly after, screenshots spread rapidly online. The Spanish-language caption strongly hinted that Topuria will defend his lightweight strap against Justin Gaethje on November 15 at Madison Square Garden.

The rumor gained further legitimacy when lightweight contender Renato Moicano backed it up in an interview with Brazilian reporter Laerte Viana, claiming he had heard whispers of Topuria vs Gaethje being finalized as the UFC 322 headliner. He also suggested a flyweight title bout between Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van would serve as co-main. Van himself later fueled speculation by announcing he had signed his next fight contract.

Bad News for Pimblett

For Paddy Pimblett, this development is devastating. The Liverpudlian had used every microphone available to call out Topuria, framing their rivalry as the next great UFC grudge match. He even hinted that the fight could define his career.

Yet if Topuria’s team and the UFC move forward with Gaethje as the challenger, Pimblett will find himself on the outside looking in. That not only delays his title aspirations but also risks letting the rivalry’s momentum cool.

While Pimblett remains a huge draw, his UFC résumé has been heavily scrutinized. Critics argue that he has not yet faced the level of competition required to justify a title shot. A matchup with Topuria would be marketable, but in terms of merit, Arman Tsarukyan, the division’s No.1 contender, and Justin Gaethje, a perennial top-five fighter, are more deserving.

Gaethje’s Ultimatum and UFC’s Response

The possibility of Gaethje getting the shot isn’t without its own drama. After defeating Rafael Fiziev in March at UFC 313, Gaethje issued an ultimatum to the UFC: give him a title fight next or he would retire.

“If my next fight isn’t for the title, I’m done,” Gaethje told reporters.

UFC CEO Dana White was not impressed with the demand, responding, “Listen, if you’re thinking about retiring, you know how I feel about that — you should probably retire. We love Justin, he’s been fun and exciting, but to say ‘give me a title shot or I retire,’ that’s wacky.”

Despite White’s dismissal, Gaethje has remained in the conversation. His body of work, fan popularity, and violent fighting style make him an obvious choice for a Madison Square Garden headliner. If the UFC wants guaranteed fireworks, Topuria vs Gaethje is about as sure a bet as possible.

What About Arman Tsarukyan?

The other complicating factor is Arman Tsarukyan. Ranked No.1, Tsarukyan seemed poised to be the logical first challenger to Topuria’s new reign. However, his withdrawal from a scheduled UFC 311 title fight due to injury put his momentum on hold.

Topuria mocked Tsarukyan in July, suggesting the Armenian-Russian contender didn’t have the aura or excitement level to make the fight a blockbuster. Meanwhile, Khabib Nurmagomedov has backed Tsarukyan as the man to eventually dethrone Topuria, creating further intrigue in the division.

For now, though, it appears Tsarukyan’s injury setback and lower drawing power could keep him waiting, as the UFC pivots toward a more marketable clash with Gaethje.

UFC 322: Madison Square Garden Blockbuster

UFC 322 is already shaping up to be one of the biggest cards of 2025. Set for November 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the event traditionally serves as one of the UFC’s flagship shows of the year.

So far, only a women’s flyweight rematch between Tracy Cortez and Erin Blanchfield has been confirmed. But if Topuria vs Gaethje headlines and Pantoja vs Van co-headlines, UFC 322 could rival any pay-per-view card in recent memory.

Rumors also continue to swirl about other high-profile matchups, including a possible Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena fight at welterweight. If true, UFC 322 could deliver one of the most stacked cards of the decade.

The Stakes of Topuria vs Gaethje

If the fight happens, the stakes are massive for both men.

For Ilia Topuria, defending against Gaethje would validate his championship reign. Critics could not dismiss his knockout of Oliveira as a one-off if he followed it up by beating one of the division’s most feared strikers. A victory would also keep his perfect record intact, potentially setting up a blockbuster 2026 campaign against contenders like Tsarukyan or Pimblett.

For Justin Gaethje, the stakes are even higher. Having already failed in two title bids, this may be his last chance to capture undisputed UFC gold. At 36 years old, with a career built on violent wars, Gaethje knows the window is closing. His ultimatum of retirement adds another layer of drama: win, and he finally achieves his dream; lose, and he may walk away from the sport.

Conclusion

The leaked hint from Ilia Topuria’s manager has thrown the lightweight division into chaos. What once looked like a guaranteed grudge match between Topuria and Paddy Pimblett now seems unlikely, with Justin Gaethje emerging as the frontrunner to headline UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden.

For Pimblett, it’s a major setback in his pursuit of championship gold. For Gaethje, it may be his last shot at greatness. And for Topuria, it’s the perfect opportunity to prove he’s not just a two-division champion but the new face of the UFC.

Whether the fight becomes official remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: if Topuria vs Gaethje headlines UFC 322, fans can expect fireworks, legacy-defining stakes, and perhaps the most unforgettable night of 2025.