UFC 324: Topuria set to headline first event on Paramount+

Unbeaten Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Ilia Topuria could be set to defend his title against Paddy Pimblett in January.

The blockbuster fight has been tipped to be the headline bout for the UFC’s debut on Paramount+.

Topuria would be a big favourite with online bookmakers to beat the Liverpool-based fighter having reeled off 17 consecutive victories in professional mixed martial arts.

Punters can use the Sleeper promo code or a betting signup code of their choice to back Topuria to emerge victorious against a fighter who many people believe is vastly overrated.

Shem Rock, who trains at Next Generation Liverpool, recently hinted that his teammate is already preparing to face the reigning champion.

“What I think and what’s really happening might be two different things, but to me, Paddy versus Ilia makes sense,” Rock said.

“He’s a big star – Ilia’s a big star. First pay-per-view of the year should be that. Paddy’s training twice a week sparring, twice a week lifting, every week getting massages. He’s not doing that for fun. He’s training for a reason.”

UFC chief executive officer Dana White has confirmed that matchmaking is underway for the first Paramount card and admitted Topuria could be involved.

He has promised to kick off the promotion’s new streaming deal with a bang, and a clash between two of the top-rated lightweights in the UFC would garner plenty of attention worldwide.

Topuria won the featherweight championship by defeating Alexander Volkanovski in February 2024, He defended it by knocking out Max Holloway eight months later.

He subsequently vacated the title to step up to lightweight, and immediately claimed the championship by defeating Charles Oliveira in June.

The 28-year-old stunned Oliveira with his striking power and many pundits believe he is destined to enjoy a long reign as the lightweight champion.

Topuria immediately called out the Liverpudlian after the victory, reigniting a bitter feud that has simmered for the since March 2022.

The two fighters clashed at a hotel during a UFC event in London, with Topuria taking Pimblett to task over offensive comments he posted on social media in 2021.

The post referenced the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia, which Topuria found deeply offensive as several people he knew had died in the conflict.

They have had several clashes since then, and the genuine bitterness between them could be the ideal vehicle to headline UFC’s debut on Paramount+.

The UFC appears to be manipulating Pimblett into position to challenge Topuria having moved him up to number six in the latest lightweight rankings.

Despite not fighting since his victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in April, the British fighter seems to be in pole position to be handed a title shot.

The UFC will be eager to provide Paramount with an early return on their $7.7 billion investment into the promotion, which likely explains the rush to fast-track him into the title picture.

However, UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall believes the decision could backfire on his compatriot and has backed Topuria to become the UFC’s first three-weight champion.

“I absolutely believe that he can win three belts,” Aspinall told TNT Sports. “Jack Della is in great form and has a big fight coming up with Islam Makhachev, but I think Topura is just special.

“I think he can beat anybody around those weights – lightweight, welterweight and featherweight. I think he might be the biggest star in the UFC right now.

“I was there live at his last fight so I got to feel the energy in that place and that guy is an absolute superstar. It’s a tough fight for Paddy.”