UFC star Paddy Pimblett made a bold claim about Ilia Topuria’s quick ascent to stardom.
Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria could potentially be on a collision course in the lightweight division. Three years after their infamous fighter hotel altercation, Pimblett and Topuria now share the same weight class after Topuria announced a move from featherweight to lightweight last year.
Pimblett faces the toughest test of his UFC career against Michael Chandler at UFC 314. A win could potentially skyrocket his stock up the lightweight rankings and put him right into the title mix.
Pimblett and Topuria have a checkered history and cultivated a near-brawl at the UFC 282 pre-fight press conference. Despite Topuria’s unblemished success since, Pimblett doesn’t believe Topuria would be at the level he’s at without him getting under his skin.
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Paddy Pimblett: Ilia Topuria’s meteoric rise is because of me
In a recent interview with Jamal Niaz, Pimblett claimed he’s responsible for Topuria’s UFC success.
“I’m sick of talking about Topuria, he’s an absolute helmet. He wouldn’t be where he is in the UFC without jumping on the back of my name,” Pimblett said of Topuria. “So yes, I do want to settle that beef one day, but we’ll see if he steps up.”
Pimblett was then asked about his approach for a potential fight with Topuria.
“Styles make fights. No one he’s fought would do what I’d do to him,” Pimblett said. “Everyone tries to have a boxing match with him, and they’ve all failed because of it. I wouldn’t come out and just box with him, I’m not an idiot.”
Topuria knocked out Max Holloway in what was his final featherweight title defense at UFC 308 in October. After vacating the featherweight belt, Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will fight for the title at UFC 314, sharing a card with Pimblett.
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Paddy Pimblett picked a surprise name for Islam Makhachev’s next title challenger
Topuria could potentially be UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev‘s next opponent, but it isn’t a sure thing, according to UFC CEO Dana White. Pimblett also questioned Topuria getting an immediate title shot against Makhachev and sided with another interesting option.
Despite Arman Tsarukyan‘s short-notice withdrawal at UFC 311, Pimblett believes he deserves the next shot at Makhachev’s belt. But Tsarukyan will likely need to win at least one fight before making the case for a title shot, according to White and the matchmakers.
Justin Gaethje is another potential option for Makhachev after his win at UFC 313. Tsarukyan called out Gaethje for a No. 1 contender fight, countering Gaethje’s title shot callout.
Regardless of the next lightweight title fight and Topuria’s next booking, Pimblett vs. Topuria is closer than ever to coming to fruition. If Pimblett is victorious at UFC 314, don’t be surprised if Topuria is his post-fight callout.