After the intense UFC 324 in Las Vegas, where Justin Gaethje beat Paddy Pimblett to be crowned interim lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria did not hold back and launched direct and harsh comments towards both competitors. The undisputed champion not only called Pimblett a "little sausage" for not being able to beat a 38-year-old opponent, but also warned Gaethje that "he is screwed" in a possible future unification fight. These statements have set the networks on fire and amplified the narrative that Topuria is still the undisputed king of the division.