Latest news with #PaddyPimblett
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Paddy Pimblett makes bold Ilia Topuria claim: ‘I reckon I proper hurt him'
Paddy Pimblett has vowed he would 'proper hurt' Ilia Topuria, if the UFC stars were to settle their longtime grudge. Pimblett and Topuria were involved in a backstage altercation ahead of UFC London in 2022, where 'Paddy The Baddy' threw a bottle of hand sanitiser at the Spanish-Georgian, who was confronting the Scouser over allegedly anti-Georgian comments on social media. At the ensuing Fight Night, Pimblett submitted Rodrigo Vargas, and Topuria knocked out Jai Herbert. The latter bout saw Topuria venture up to lightweight, Pimblett's division, though he soon returned to featherweight, where he won the title in 2024. Now, however, Topuria is back at 155lb, having vacated the 145lb title in February. 'El Matador' is preparing to face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant belt on 28 June, while Pimblett is likely one win away from a title shot. As such, Pimblett vs Topuria is finally a realistic possibility again, and the Liverpudlian discussed that match-up while talking to compatriot Tom Aspinall, the interim UFC heavyweight champion. 'If Ilia wins and says he wants to fight me, the UFC will make that fight, because they know it's a money fight,' Pimblett said on Aspinall's YouTube channel. 'That's one of those fights, there'll be a f*****g world press tour like [Conor] McGregor vs [Jose] Aldo. 'I know I'd beat him. Funny, because I get laughed at for it, but I know I beat him. We've already talked about gameplans to beat him, and I know how to beat him. 'No one goes for his weaknesses when he fights them. Everyone [has] just decided to have a boxing match with him. I'm not going to come out and have a boxing match with him; I'm going to beat him with my all-around MMA game. 'As I said, I know I'd beat him up, and I reckon I proper hurt him and just shut everyone up even more – like I love to do.' Topuria, 28, is unbeaten as a professional, while Pimblett has three losses to his name but none in the UFC; since debuting in the promotion in 2021, the 30-year-old has gone 7-0. Last time out, in April, Paddy The Baddy dominated and stopped Michael Chandler, a former UFC lightweight title challenger who previously held the Bellator belt three times. Meanwhile, Topuria will enter the UFC 317 main event on the back of two straight knockouts of featherweight greats. In February 2024, he stopped Alexander Volkanovski to take the title from the long-reigning champion; then, in October, he scored the same result against former title holder Max Holloway, retaining the gold in the process.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ilia Topuria performs another Paddy Pimblett U-turn ahead of UFC 317 after seemingly squashing beef with Brit
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ILIA TOPURIA has seemingly performed yet another U-turn on Paddy Pimblett. The pair almost came to blows at the UFC London fighter hotel in March 2022 after Topuria confronted the submission specialist over comments he made about his fellow Georgians. 5 Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett almost came to blows at the UFC London fighter hotel in March 2023 Credit: INSTAGRAM@ILIATOPURIA 5 But the pair appeared to squash their beef at the most recent UFC London weigh-ins Credit: X@CHISANGA_MALATA 5 Topuria has since revealed he hates Pimblett and wants to knock his block off Credit: GETTY A public war of words has played out over the last three years, although the duo seemingly put their differences aside with a brief embrace at the most recent UFC London weigh-ins. But Topuria, who fights for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 next weekend, insists he still has immense disdain for 'The Baddy'. The 28-year-old said of Pimblett in an interview with ESPN Deportes: 'He's a hypocrite. "I'll tell you, I remember we shared a press conference once, and he said something like, 'I'm fighting in the main card, and you're on the prelims,' some kind of nonsense. READ MORE ON ILIA TOPURIA 'DIDN'T WANT TO' Ilia Topuria explains reason for major career change ahead of UFC 317 "And now I'm thinking, I have two belts. Where are you? "Who the f**k is Paddy Pimblett right now and why would he deserve to fight me right now?" Former featherweight king Topuria has already earmarked Pimblett, who picked up the biggest win of his career against Michael Chandler in April, as his next opponent. He said: "Honestly, if I could choose a fight, I would fight him because I hate him. He's a pain in the ass. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 Surging Brit contender Paddy Pimblett has welcomed a showdown with Ilia Topuria Credit: REX "I'd love to give that fight to the fans, because for a long time, I believe that in the UFC, you haven't seen a real fight. "Two people who really want to fight each other, and what better way than to fight in front of everyone and put on a show? Ilia Topuria Trains For UFC 317 Clash With Charles Oliveira "I know what's going to happen, and it won't be good for him." Topuria has the small matter of beating former 155lbs titleholder and fan favourite Charles Oliveira before he can think about settling the score with Pimblett. But 'El Matador' believes he'll make light work of the Brazilian, saying: "Charles is a great fighter. "I'd say he's a legendary fighter, one of the few still active in the UFC. "But the truth is that his style fits perfectly with mine to put him to sleep in the first round. "Because he has no mobility, he doesn't move."
The Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Ilia Topuria performs another Paddy Pimblett U-turn ahead of UFC 317 after seemingly squashing beef with Brit
ILIA TOPURIA has seemingly performed yet another U-turn on Paddy Pimblett. The pair almost came to blows at the UFC London fighter hotel in March 2022 after Topuria confronted the submission specialist over comments he made about his fellow Georgians. 5 5 5 A public war of words has played out over the last three years, although the duo seemingly put their differences aside with a brief embrace at the most recent UFC London weigh-ins. But Topuria, who fights for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 next weekend, insists he still has immense disdain for 'The Baddy'. The 28-year-old said of Pimblett in an interview with ESPN Deportes: 'He's a hypocrite. "I'll tell you, I remember we shared a press conference once, and he said something like, 'I'm fighting in the main card, and you're on the prelims,' some kind of nonsense. "And now I'm thinking, I have two belts. Where are you? "Who the f**k is Paddy Pimblett right now and why would he deserve to fight me right now?" who picked up the biggest win of his career against Michael Chandler in April, as his next opponent. He said: "Honestly, if I could choose a fight, I would fight him because I hate him. He's a pain in the ass. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 "I'd love to give that fight to the fans, because for a long time, I believe that in the UFC, you haven't seen a real fight. "Two people who really want to fight each other, and what better way than to fight in front of everyone and put on a show? Ilia Topuria Trains For UFC 317 Clash With Charles Oliveira "I know what's going to happen, and it won't be good for him." Topuria has the small matter of beating former 155lbs titleholder and fan favourite Charles Oliveira before he can think about settling the score with Pimblett. But 'El Matador' believes he'll make light work of the Brazilian, saying: "Charles is a great fighter. "I'd say he's a legendary fighter, one of the few still active in the UFC. "But the truth is that his style fits perfectly with mine to put him to sleep in the first round. "Because he has no mobility, he doesn't move."
Forbes
6 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Ilia Topuria Wants To Fight Paddy Pimblett: 'I Hate Him'
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 26:Ilia Topuria of Spain prepares to face Max Holloway in ... More the UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Ilia Topuria competes for the vacant UFC lightweight title in the main event of the upcoming UFC 317 pay-per-view card. While Topuria does not hold that title, the never-lacking-in-confidence former UFC featherweight champ seems to have concluded that he will beat ex-UFC lightweight champ Charles Oliveira in their June 28 matchup and that he will walk away from T-Mobile Arena as the 155-pound titleholder. With his customary cocksureness, Topuria is already looking at a potential opponent for his first lightweight title defense. That fighter is Paddy Pimblett. LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: (L-R) Ilia Topuria of Spain circles Jai Herbert of England in a ... More lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at O2 Arena on March 19, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Not one to forget a slight, Topuria and Pimblett have had beef since 2021, when Pimblett got into an online argument with UFC fighter Guram Kutateladze, who hails from the country of Georgia. During that back-and-forth, Pimblett posted a since-deleted remark, "Lad how stupid are these Georgians man, no wonder the Russians terrorise their lives.'" That remark led to a confrontation in the fighter hotel in London in March 2022, where a punch and a bottle of hand sanitizer were thrown. "It didn't happen because he called me something yesterday. It comes from a long time ago," Topuria explained at the time on The MMA Hour. "He was arguing with one of my close friends once on Twitter, and he posted [something] "And to see how someone is joking about that, it makes my blood boil," Topuria continued. "So I texted with him, I don't remember what I tweeted, and when they gave me the fight in London, he text me like three weeks ago, like, 'I can't wait to see you in London. We'll see if you have the balls to tell me everything you texted me on Twitter.' Bulls—t." "Can you imagine if I started to make some jokes about the war, where their children are dying, where people are suffering?" Topuria continued. "You can't talk about that. So this is why. "The same situation [happened to us], we were living in Georgia in 2008," Topuria added. "The same situation. I was living there, and a lot of guys from my class, my friends, I saw all of them out there, their parents were dying in the war, and crazy situations — I can't even explain how the situation was at that time. [It bothers me] when I hear someone joking about that." Topuria and Pimblett fought on that London card with Topuria knocking out Jai Herbert in the first round of their lightweight bout. Meanwhile, Pimblett defeated Kazula Vargas via submission. Both men earned "Performance of the Night" bonuses for their wins. LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 8: Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett held back by security during a shouting ... More match at the UFC 282 pre-fight press conference on December 8, 2022, at the MGM Garden Grand Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Topuria and Pimblett reignited their feud in December 2022 when they shared a stage for the UFC 282 press conference. During that press conference, Pimblett said to Topuria, 'Are you talking English? English? Speak English for the people, lad, not German or Spanish like you're from, you mongrel. You pretend to be Georgian, but you're not. You were born in Germany, and you live in Spain. You were born in Germany, and you live in Spain. You're a little mongrel. That's what you are. You're a little mongrel.' Those words did not sit well with Topuria, as he stood and threatened Pimblett during the event before things seemed to cool down, at least at the time. Both men fought on the PPV card on that event, with Topuria opening the main card with a submission win over Bryce Mitchell. Meanwhile, Pimblett defeated Jared Gordon via decision in the co-main event that night. Topuria earned a "Performance of the Night" bonus for his stoppage. Since UFC 282, Topuria has won, defended, and relinquished the UFC featherweight crown. Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to claim that title and then knocked out Max Holloway in defense of the belt. ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 26: Ilia Topuria of Spain reacts after a knockout victory ... More against Max Holloway in the UFC featherweight championship fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) As for Pimblett, he is the No. 8 ranked UFC lightweight. His most recent win is an April 2025 TKO victory over Michael Chandler. MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 29: UFC fighter Ilia Topuria during press conference after WOW 17 at Madrid ... More Arena on March 29, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images) 'Honestly, if I could choose a fight, I would fight him because I hate him,'told ESPN Deportes in Spanish (via MMA Junkie) "He's a pain in the ass. I'd love to give that fight to the fans, because for a long time, I believe that in the UFC, you haven't seen a real fight. Two people who really want to fight each other, and what better way than to fight in front of everyone and put on a show? I know what's going to happen, and it won't be good for him." Pimblett does not have a fight scheduled. Topuria faces Oliveira in the main event of UFC 317 for the vacant UFC lightweight title.
Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Paddy Pimblett old only way to earn £20million is to quit UFC
Paddy Pimblett is arguably one of the biggest stars in the UFC but has been told boxing is the only way he can earn big money Paddy Pimblett has been warned he can only make big money if he leaves UFC for boxing. Liverpool's Pimblett recorded the biggest win of his career in April when he stopped former Bellator champion Michael Chandler. He has been linked with a clash with the hard-hitting Justin Gaethje later this year as the Brit eyes a lightweight title shot in 2026. But according to former boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi, Pimblett will never earn big bucks in the cage. "Paddy Pimblett is a guy that's now that big that his base [purse] would probably start at $20million if he were a boxer. Because that's what you're talking about now, he's maybe one of the biggest, if not the biggest star in MMA," he told Spin Genie. "So you have to compare him to the biggest star in the sport of boxing that moves the needle like that. And to tell you the truth, MMA guys probably move the needle more than the biggest boxer, because I think MMA overall sells more pay-per-views. It sells more viewership. "So that's why I say, at the very minimum, Paddy would be starting at $20million for his next fight, plus pay per view points. This is the model we have in boxing." After beating Chandler, Pimblett set out what he believes is his route to the top. "I know for a fact if I beat Gaethje, I'm next in line. Definitely. It could be (the next fight)," Pimblett told TNT Sports. "It's just if he says yeah or not. Because he's fighting down the rankings again. Abu Dhabi. October. That pay-per-view, that's when I want to fight. "That's what I'll be gearing towards. After what I've done to (Michael) Chandler, I think I finish Justin Gaethje... Yeah, that'd be nice [to fight Gaethje]. But I was thinking about it the other day: It's probably better if Ilia wins the belt, because he'll probably call me out and then I could just fight him. "Maybe I wouldn't even fight Gaethje, [and I could] just fight Topuria... It'd be far better for my career if Ilia wins because I'd, more than likely, be his first title defence.'
