‘Little sausage’ – Ilia Topuria rips into Paddy Pimblett in first response to Justin Gaethje loss

Ilia Topuria has ripped into Paddy Pimblett after his loss to Justin Gaethje left hopes of the pair facing each other in tatters.

Gaethje and Pimblett met in a huge showdown at UFC 324 with the interim lightweight title on the line, and a shot at the full undisputed crown held by Topuria at stake.

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Many wanted Pimblett to come through victorious, with a showdown between himself and ‘El Matador’ considered one of the most commercially fruitful to make in the UFC.

But dreams of the pair meeting in a blockbuster clash were shattered, as UFC legend Gaethje spoiled the party, dropping Pimblett three times en route to a sensational decision victory.

It was the first defeat of the Liverpudlian’s stint in the UFC, and Gaethje is now next in line to face Topuria instead.

The champion quickly took to social media just two hours after the rising star’s defeat, and didn’t pull any punches.

He wrote on X: “Little sausage, the only thing you had to do was beat a 38 year old guy.

“You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life. You were going to get rich if you won.

“Justin, all I can say is congratulations, and I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what.”

It was a brutal response from Topuria, and now any showdown with Pimblett will likely have to come much further down the line.

After years of verbal back and forth and furious clashes, it appears that the current champion has had the last laugh for now.

But the British star will hope to get back to winning ways before the end of the year if injuries don’t keep him away from the cage.

What happens next after Gaethje’s win over Pimblett?

Now the full title clash will come further down the line, with ‘The Highlight’ expected to get his shot at the crown.

It is the second time Gaethje has scooped the interim title, and will subsequently be his third attempt at becoming full champion.

The ferocious striking icon came up short in clashes for undisputed glory in 2020 against Khabib Nurmagomedov, and when he later fought Charles Oliveira in 2022.

But he will hope to go one step further, although faces a daunting task against pound-for-pound number one Topuria.

Pimblett’s response to defeat

‘The Baddy’ stayed humble having been beaten for the first time, halting his rise up the UFC lightweight division.

He will now need to bounce back and return to the drawing board, and believes he can given he is just 31-years-old.

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The Merseyside fan-favourite said in his post-fight interview: “I wanted to be walking away with that belt.

“I know how tough I am and I don’t need to prove that to anyone. I think 48-47 was a fair scorecard.

“I won’t lie, he hit me with a body shot in the first round and it got me. I thought I was winning the round up to that point.

“You live and you learn. I’m 31, I will be back better.”