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Islam Makhachev believes Paddy Pimblett should not be given a title opportunity against Ilia Topuria, as there are more deserving contenders than the Brit.Given their hostility, Topuria is rumored to make his first lightweight title defense against Pimblett in the main event of UFC 324 next year. During a recent ESPN MMA interview, Makhachev gave his thoughts on the potential matchup. The former 155-pound kingpin dismissed Pimblett by highlighting his octagon record and naming other competitors like Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje as Topuria's possible opponents:''Now I don't know who's gonna be next for Ilia. Maybe Arman, maybe Gaethje, but not Paddy, for sure. Paddy beat who? Tony Ferguson? Who else he beat? [Michael] Chandler? Everybody beat Chandler. He can do some things, but I don’t see a big chance. I don’t know, maybe, honestly it’s not a big challenge for Topuria. Arman is a really big deal. If he beats Arman, because Arman has good skills striking, wrestling, grappling, he’s a good fighter. Paddy, nobody checked Paddy before.''Check out Islam Makhachev's comments below:Topuria initially gave away his featherweight belt to challenge Makhachev for the lightweight gold earlier this year. However, the Dagestani dismissed Topuria and vacated his title to pursue his dream of being a double champion. He is now set to face reigning welterweight kingpin Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 next month.As a result, Topuria took on Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 and became the new lightweight champion by securing an opening-round knockout win. Following his victory, he engaged in a heated face-off with Pimblett, who is on a seven-fight win streak inside the octagon. Notably, 'The Baddy' has yet to suffer defeat in the UFC.Islam Makhachev is ready to face Ilia TopuriaIn the aforementioned interview with ESPN MMA, Islam Makhachev voiced his desire to face Ilia Topuria in a superfight at the UFC White House card next year:''If you’re talking about our fight, I have a good fight now and I know he’s going to fight soon and we’ll see what’s going to happen. He wants to fight at the White House and I also want to be there. For the MMA community, it’s going to be a big fight. People want this fight and if UFC wants this fight, then we can do this...I know UFC wants to do some big fight in White House. Which fight is going to be bigger than this?'' [H/t: MMA Fighting]
