Paddy Pimblett is still maintaining that he can beat Ilia Topuria, years after the pair’s scuffle at a London hotel.
The divisive lightweight contender infamously threw a bottle of hand sanitiser at Topuria as they pair got into a physical altercation while fighting on the same UFC London card in March of 2022. And he has been calling the Georgian ‘hand sanitiser boy’ ever since, refusing to let the feud end.
And despite giving credit to the featherweight champion for his stunning UFC 308 knockout win against Max Holloway, Pimblett still believes he is the better fighter. However, fans on social media do not agree with his assessment.
- Who is Paddy Pimblett? Get to know the ‘baddy’ of MMA who is making his presence felt in UFC
Ilia Topuria knocks out Max Holloway at UFC 308 to retain featherweight title
After dethroning Alexander Volkanovski back in February, it was up to Ilia Topuria to again knock out a legend at UFC 308. This time around it was former champion Holloway, who had just defeated Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 for the BMF title and was coming back down in weight.
Topuria managed to land a takedown early, but after that Holloway grew into the fight, with one judge even scoring the first round in his favour. He managed to land volume punches, but the bigger shots were coming from Topuria throughout.
And in the third, he hurt Holloway with a huge right hand, before stepping on the gas. He continued to back the former champion up against the cage, but it wasn’t until he caught him with a big left hand that he put him down.
Referee Marc Goddard had to step in to save Holloway from taking any more unnecessary damage as he was landing ground and pound.
Paddy Pimblett insists that he would still beat Ilia Topuria
Watching the fight from home for a YouTube video, Paddy Pimblett appeared unfazed by what he saw from Topuria as he landed yet another massive knockout. He congratulated his old rival on the victory, but declared the he is still confident of beating him if he moved up to lightweight.
“Heavy,” he said of Topuria’s finish. “Hand sanitiser boy with the win? Heavy. Well done, Ilia, give you your due lad, 16-0 hand sanitiser boy. I can’t wait for him to come back up to lightweight, I still think I’d beat him.
“I really do, I still think I’d beat him lad. Whether he’s just beat Max Holloway or not, I still think I’d beat him. Kicking him on the feet or taking him down and submitting him, I genuinely think I’d beat him, but congrats Ilia Topuria, well done son, congratulations, lad.
“Obviously hand sanitiser boy knocked Holloway out, I didn’t see that coming but give him his due, good finish. Max was the better boxer, but Ilia is the better swinger, he ended up catching him with them shots on the button.
“So congrats, fella. Can’t wait for Volk to come back and beat you up and I’m willing to, any time.”
Fans troll Paddy Pimblett for Ilia Topuria outburst
Social media did not take kindly to Pimblett’s assessment, with a number of users taking to X to laugh at his suggestion that he could beat the UFC featherweight champion. The clip from his video was shared widely, and already appears to be going viral.
Misfits Boxing commentator and BKFC fighter Ben ‘The Bane’ Davis mocked Pimblett for his take, writing: “Paddy Pimblett’s reaction to Topuria’s win over Max is as delusional as you’d expect.”
And Davis was not the only one, with another fan adding: “Just be happy you ain’t fighting him, you’d get put to sleeeeep.” Another then replied saying: “Buddy had to repeat himself 3x. Even he doesnt believe that s*** haha.”