Paddy Pimblett has wished Ilia Topuria all the best as the UFC lightweight champion deals with a personal issue.Topuria revealed that he would be taking a break from MMA in November to resolve an ongoing ‘difficult moment’ in his life.Pimblett faced off with Topuria when the latter became lightweight champion at UFC 317 in JuneGettyThe Georgian-Spanish fighter then issued a shocking statement on Monday, revealing allegations made regarding legal issues as the driving force behind his decision.Pimblett had been linked to fighting Topuria for the lightweight title ever since the Liverpudlian dominated Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in April.However, Topuria’s revelations prompted UFC CEO Dana White‘s announcement that Pimblett would fight Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24.White has said that the winner of the main event in Las Vegas will get the chance to face the undisputed champion next.Pimblett has shared a mutual hatred with Topuria for over three years now, but, speaking to ESPN Deportes, ‘The Baddy’ refused to fire his usual shots at the champion when asked about his return.Paddy Pimblett: I wish Topuria nothing but the best“He’s got a lot going on in his personal life,” Pimblett said.“I wish him nothing but the best with it. That’s nothing to do with me and him fighting. “That’s his family, and I hope everything goes well. I hope that goes perfectly for him.“All I care about is getting him in that octagon and fighting him. Anything in his personal life, I hope it goes well, but you never know. “If he doesn’t come back by June, July, he might have to vacate his belt, and I’ll become undisputed champ without even fighting.”Pimblett said he hopes everything goes perfectly for Topuria in his ongoing personal matterGettyThe pair’s rivalry started at a London hotel in 2022 when Pimblett threw a bottle of hand sanitiser at TopuriaTheMacLifeTopuria’s return date is unknown for now, but it may not be until the summer, or even later, when he makes his comeback.‘El Matador’ became the UFC lightweight champion in June by knocking out Charles Oliveira.This came just 16 months after he was first crowned a UFC champion, flattening Alexander Volkanovski to win the featherweight title at UFC 298 and later defending it against Max Holloway.Topuria shared his thoughts on Pimblett vs Gaethje this past weekend while also providing a telling update on his future in the sport. “I find it very deserving for both,” Topuria told ESPN Deportes.“It’s a title, very deserving for both, but that’s the closest they will ever be to getting a world title. Topuria scored a Knockout of the Year contender against Charles Oliveira to win the lightweight titleGetty“I congratulate them, but at some point, they’re going to have to face the real deal.”Topuria said he would ‘love’ Pimblett to be victorious at UFC 324, but admitted the story would still be just as big if Gaethje won.The 28-year-old doesn’t plan to stay around for long in his reign as lightweight champion.Speaking to Marca, Topuria outlined his intentions to transition to boxing in the future.Topuria doesn’t think he’ll be around for long in MMA“It’s no secret that I always wanted to go and test my skills in boxing,” Topuria explained.“I want to first finish my story in mixed martial arts, in MMA, and once I finish to make my complete transition to boxing because I can not be preparing for an MMA fight, then go, prepare for a boxing match, return… “When I’m done, I don’t think I’m going to be [around for] too long if I’m honest in this sport… I’ll make my transition to boxing, and I’m going to surprise more than one.”Topuria called out super-middleweight three-belt titleholder Terence Crawford in September, saying he is confident he could knock the American out in the ring.Crawford said Topuria was ‘clout-chasing’ in his response when speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show.‘El Matador’ could be out for several months while he deals with legal issues in his life, but there is no doubt he will continue his undefeated spell in the UFC before he even thinks about moving to the squared circle.