It appears that Paddy Pimblett is set to be Ilia Topuria 's first challenger in the UFC lightweight division (up to 70,2 kg). The British star, who was in the front row when the Spaniard knocked out Charles Oliveira , faced off with the champion inside the octagon, reigniting an old rivalry between the two.
In his participation in the podcast 'Verse Us, with Erick Nicksick', Pimblett made it clear that a possible duel against Topuria goes beyond a sporting dispute. According to him, the confrontation would be motivated by an intense personal rivalry, marked by mutual contempt. Far from the usual climate of respect between fighters, the Englishman revealed that he prefers a long fight, with the objective of inflicting pain and disfiguring the champion's face.
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“The decision is up to Dana, Hunter, and Sean, but I think this is the only fight that can be made. We haven’t seen two people genuinely hate each other since Conor and Khabib. Everyone is always cordial and polite, but I hate him. I absolutely hate him. I want to inflict pain on his life. I wish this fight would last until four minutes and fifty seconds into the fifth round, and that I would have landed 907 elbows and disfigured his face. I don’t want a quick knockout, I want to make him go through pain,” said Paddy Pimblett.
Mutual feeling: Topuria also wants to face Pimblett for personal reasons
If Pimblett wants to hurt Topuria in a potential fight, the feeling is mutual. In the post- UFC 317 press conference , the Spaniard made it clear that he wants to face the Briton, revealing a personal motivation for the possible duel. He compared the situation to his fight against Charles Oliveira , whom he respects and admires as a human being, which made that fight emotionally difficult. With Paddy, it's the opposite.
“This is the fight I want. Because with Charles, it was a tough situation. He’s a guy I like. He’s a great human being, you can’t hate him. You see him with his family and his friends and his team all the time… he’s an amazing person. But in the end, I thought, ‘This is a competition. I have to do my job and that’s it.’ But with Paddy, I’m really going to enjoy hurting him,” Topuria said.
Rivalry between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett is old
Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria argued at the UFC 282 press conference (Photo: Reproduction/YouTube)
The rivalry between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett is not recent and began when the two were still competing in different weight classes. In 2022, the fighters clashed in a London hotel and almost came to blows. Now, with the Spaniard as lightweight champion, expectations are growing that they will finally face each other in the octagon.
In an interview with ESPN Deportes before UFC 317 , Ilia Topuria stated that if he could choose his next opponent, he would face the Briton. The reason, according to him, is simple: 'hatred' for his rival.
“He (Pimblett) is a hypocrite. I remember we were at the same press conference once and he said he was fighting on the main card and I was on the prelims. Now I'm thinking, I have two belts, where are you? Who is Paddy Pimblett now? Honestly, if I could choose a fight, I would like to fight him because I hate him. He sucks. I would love to give that fight to the fans. I think the UFC hasn't seen a real fight in a long time. Two people who really want to fight each other. What better way to do that than in a fight in front of everyone, putting on a show?” Topuria exclaimed.
Tough competition could derail Paddy Pimblett vs. Ilia Topuria's UFC lightweight title fight
Despite his rivalry with Ilia Topuria exciting fans, Paddy Pimblett still faces a tough road to a title shot. Currently ranked seventh in the lightweight division, the Briton has stiff competition in the race for the championship.
Besides Pimblett, names like Arman Tsarukyan , who was brought in as a replacement for the fight between Topuria and Charles do Bronx , and Justin Gaethje , who has already had two opportunities to fight for the belt, are also in line for a chance to face the champion.
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Read More about: Charles of the Bronx, Ilia Topuria, Paddy Pimblett, UFC 317
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