Paddy Pimblett is set to return at UFC 329 on July 11 when he faces the always-violent Benoit Saint Denis. Looming beyond that fight, though, is a scrap Paddy has been chasing for years: a bout with former two-division champion Ilia Topuria.

Pimblett vs. Topuria would have gone down had Pimblett not lost to Justin Gaethje via decision back in January. Gaethje followed that up by smashing Topuria at the UFC White House event, so all of a sudden the two rivals are back in each other's orbit.

"He's Never Been the Nail"

Pimblett discussed Topuria's loss during a recent appearance on Demetrious Johnson's YouTube channel.

"Gaethje took him into that dogfight, dragged him into it, and Ilia's never had that," Pimblett said. "Ilia's never had to come back from adversity. Ilia's only ever been the hammer. He's never been the nail. I don't think Ilia Topuria ever comes back the same."

Will Topuria Return?

"His whole mindset, his whole ego is like 'I'm undefeated, no one can beat me,'" Pimblett said. "Having celebrations the night before the fight. I just don't think he'll ever be the same."

"I'd happily be his first fight back," Pimblett added, if Topuria ever actually returns.

"We'll find out what sort of man he is, if he does come back and when he does come back," Pimblett said. "He's gonna have to look himself in the mirror and say 'What, I just got my head smashed in and I need to come back.' And you never know, he might not have the cojones to do it."

The Weight Class Argument

No one gave Pimblett much of a chance against Topuria other than Pimblett himself, who does not think "El Matador" has the size and strength to hurt him.

"He's a featherweight," Pimblett said simply. "That's why we have weight classes. We have weight classes for a reason and that's something I've always said when people have said, 'Oh, Ilia will knock you out.' No. He's a fat featherweight."

"He thinks he's a lightweight. He's not a lightweight, lad. I'm a lightweight. He's a fat featherweight and I would take his punches all day and laugh in his face and punch him in the face and he'll know about it."

First, Pimblett will have to get past Saint Denis, who is very much a large lightweight and is now on a four-fight win streak with all bouts ending via finish.