Topuria expected Pimblett at UFC White House event

Ilia Topuria knew he would be competing at UFC Freedom 250, but he did not expect to face Justin Gaethje.

After Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) knocked out Charles Oliveira to win the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317, top contenders Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, and Paddy Pimblett were all cageside. However, it was Pimblett who entered the octagon for a faceoff with Topuria, which appeared to set up his first title defense.

But Topuria later needed to take some personal time away, leading the UFC to book Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) against Pimblett (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in January. Topuria expected Pimblett to come out on top, but Gaethje delivered an impressive performance to win the interim belt.

“I was surprised because I thought Paddy was going to beat Justin,” Topuria told One on One MMA. “Before the fight, I believed I would end up facing Paddy because from the moment they announced the White House event, I knew I would be part of it. I thought if Justin was fighting Paddy, I’d be facing the winner, and I really believed Paddy would win. That’s why the result surprised me.”

The outcome set up a title unification fight between Topuria and Gaethje, which will headline UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House.