Paddy Pimblett would love to coach 'The Ultimate Fighter' with Ilia Topuria: 'That would be hilarious'

LONDON – Paddy Pimblett wants to spend eight weeks with Ilia Topuria to film “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Pimblett and Topuria have traded barbs in the past and got into a hotel altercation last July in London. They also went back-and-forth during the UFC 282 press conference. The pair has shared two cards, but never has been matched up together.

When asked what could be next for him, Pimblett (20-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC) said he’d fancy coaching the next season of “TUF” opposite side Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC).

“I’m just waiting to see when I come back,” Pimblett said at the Q&A hosted on Friday, part of the UFC Fight Night 224 fight week. “Obviously, (Matt) Frevola is a nice one. He called me out. But I think about 12 people have called me out in the post-fight interview, to be honest. We’ll see what happens in the future. I’d love to do a season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ with Ilia Topuria. I reckon that would be hilarious.”

Pimblett thinks he would get a real kick out of Topuria doing the show.

“That would be funny, that, wouldn’t it?” Pimblett said. “I’d get under some people’s skins, you know what I mean?”

Pimblett and Topuria are currently on different trajectories, with Topuria emerging as a featherweight contender after a dominate performance against Josh Emmett. Rising lightweight Pimblett remained unbeaten in the octagon when he edged out Jared Gordon this past December at UFC 282.

Pimblett was asked by a fan if he was afraid of Topuria, but the question was relayed to him by John Gooden as Topuria having the performance of the year against Emmett, which Pimblett laughed it off.

“Performance of the Year? He couldn’t finish someone who’s going to retire soon,” Pimblett said. “You’re messing, aren’t you? Josh Emmett is like 39, isn’t he? If you think that was a great performance, then yeah – but I could finish Josh Emmett in my sleep.”