Ilia Topuria Dismisses Justin Gaethje as a UFC 'Legend,' Eyes Paddy Pimblett Fight

Ilia Topuria discussed future opponents after defeating Charles Oliveira to become lightweight champion at UFC 317.

Topuria disagreed with Justin Gaethje being referred to as a UFC "legend" during a Sunday appearance on the About Last Fight podcast, explaining that "we don't have more legends in the sport" to fight (10:20 mark).

Topuria previously said that he wasn't interested in facing Gaethje because it wouldn't be "exciting for the fans" to watch (h/t Ryan Harkness of MMA Mania).

He revealed that he's targeting Paddy Pimblett as his next opponent on Sunday.

"It would be Paddy, probably," Topuria said (11:36 mark).

"Because that's the guy that I really would enjoy to punch him in the face, really would enjoy that fight," he added. "And I know that I can do with him whatever I wanna do."

Topuria didn't take long to become a two-division champion on Saturday night, securing his knockout win over Oliveira in the first round of the bout.

He improved to 17-0 following the win, with impressive victories in his last three fights over Oliveira, Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.

Topuria's next opponent isn't certain, although Gaethje's team believed that he deserved a shot at the title.

Ali Abdelaziz, Gaethje's manager, was adamant that the 36-year-old should face the winner of the clash between Topuria and Oliveira on June 9.

“Justin Gaethje fights the winner,” Abdelaziz said, via Jesse Holland of MMA Mania. “He’s won three of his last four, he saved the UFC two times. They needed him, and he’s there. The guy did so much for the sport. If anyone said he doesn’t deserve it ... he said, ‘If I’m not going to fight for the title, I’m just going to hang up my gloves.’ He’s a very principled guy. He feels strongly about this"

Topuria appears to be interested in facing Pimblett instead, especially after the two faced off following his win at UFC 317.

Pimblett owns a 23-3 record, with his most recent victory occurring over Michael Chandler in the third round at UFC 314 on April 12.