Topuria heats up rivalry with Pimblett and says he doesn't mind going to ground with Englishman

Ilia Topuria in face with Paddy Pimblett No. UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction/UFC

New lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg.), Ilia Topuria shocked the world by defeating Charles of the Bronx in a brutal way in the UFC 317. Still undefeated and dreaming of great performances in his next appearances, the Spanish-Georgian expresses nothing but confidence for his first title defense, which he intends to carry out in December.

Protagonist of a great rivalry with Paddy Pimblett, the king of the category shows that he is open to facing the Englishman, despite Dana White not having approved of the face-off in the octagon in UFC 317.

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Determined to maintain a provocative and confident stance ahead of his clashes, the Spaniard did not hesitate to say that he is capable of defeating Pimblett in the Englishman's main skill: jiu-jitsu.

Ilia Topuria poses with two UFC belts after victory against Charles of the Bronx. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.

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“To be honest, I think it’s one of the easiest fights I could have in the lightweight division because I can do whatever I want to him. It’s a big fight for the fans, I’m going to enjoy the whole process and at the same time, it’s going to be a fight where I can shine once again. I promise you, I can choose the way I’m going to beat him, he won’t stay there for more than one round with me. Maybe it would be cool to finish him on the ground, with a triangle from the mount, something like that,” Topuria told TMZSports.

Although there is no confirmation about a duel between the Europeans, Pimblett used his social networks to deny talk of Dricus Du Plessis, in which the South African reported that the Englishman would face Justin gaethje in the penultimate fight of the UFC 319, in August. Topuria is expected to defend his belt in December.