The Liverpool native has shared a bitter feud with Topuria since their early UFC careers, and has had to watch as his rival quickly bypassed him to world title wins and pound-for-pound rankings. The featherweight champion is two years his junior, and has already won and defended a title.

Paddy Pimblett believes that reigning UFC featherweight king Ilia Topuria’s chances of fighting Islam Makhachev are sleek.