UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett sent a message to his longtime rival ahead of UFC 317.
Former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria will face Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight championship next month at UFC 317. After weeks of speculation over a potential Islam Makhachev vs. Topuria matchup, Makhachev opted to vacate the title for a move to welterweight, leaving Topuria and Oliveira to compete for the belt.
As the UFC promised, Topuria will get an immediate lightweight title shot after vacating the featherweight belt earlier this year. It was later won by Alexander Volkanovski over Diego Lopes at UFC 314.
If Topuria earns the belt at UFC 317 over Oliveira, there is no shortage of options for his first lightweight title defense. One of the most viable options is a name long linked to a showdown with Topuria after a three-year feud.
Paddy Pimblett reignites Ilia Topuria feud as UFC 317 looms
Paddy Pimblett remained unbeaten in his UFC tenure by finishing Michael Chandler in the UFC 314 co-main event last month. Pimblett called out Topuria in his post-fight press conference, but called the former featherweight titleholder ‘irrelevant’ in the lightweight title mix.
Pimblett could potentially be next in line for a title shot after his win over Chandler. He and Topuria have a checkered past, dating back to their infamous altercation at a fighter hotel in 2022.
While Topuria and Pimblett shared a brief, albeit cordial moment while cornering their teammates at UFC 312, tensions remain high between the two sides. As Pimblett nears a shot at UFC gold, a matchup between the UK star and Topuria is closer than ever before.
Pimblett might not have a rooting preference in who wins the vacant title at UFC 317. But if it ends up being Topuria, Pimblett plans on finishing his longtime adversary in a vicious fashion.
In a recent Instagram post, Pimblett posted a photo of him headkicking Chandler along with a veiled message at Topuria.
“Can’t wait to land one of these on el chorizo,” Pimblett posted.
As of this writing, Topuria hasn’t responded to Pimblett’s post. He hasn’t fought since knocking out BMF titleholder Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October.
Ilia Topuria refuses to grant Islam Makhachev an immediate title shot with UFC 317 win
A Topuria vs. Pimblett showdown is becoming increasingly likely after Topuria’s recent remarks about the former titleholder. Topuria recently said he refuses to grant Makhachev an immediate title shot if he opts to return to the lightweight division, an apparent nod to Makhachev’s recent apprehension at facing him.
Makhachev is expected to face newly-crowned UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena later this year for his chance at a second championship. He hasn’t fought since defeating Renato Moicano at UFC 311, and the welterweight door opened when Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad at UFC 315.
The UFC lightweight and welterweight title conversations continue to spark spontaneity in MMA, and fight fans are in for a treat this summer and beyond.
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