Latest news with #Pimblett
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ilia Topuria Sends a Blistering Warning to Rising UFC Star
Ilia Topuria Sends a Blistering Warning to Rising UFC Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As UFC 317 inches closer, the spotlight intensifies on Ilia Topuria, who is preparing for what many believe will be his toughest test yet—a title bout against former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. Scheduled for June 28 in Las Vegas, the undefeated featherweight champion is set to challenge for the lightweight crown straight away, a bold move on its own. But outside the Octagon, Topuria has turned his attention toward a rising UFC name who isn't even on the card. Advertisement The feud between Topuria and Pimblett is heating up fast. Both have had words for each other in the past. In a recent interview with ESPN Deportes, Topuria didn't hold back: 'Sometimes he flies under the radar, but have you noticed? He's another hypocrite—I'm telling you. I remember once we shared a press conference, and he told me something like, 'Oh look, I'm fighting on the main card and you're on the prelims'—some nonsense like that. And now I ask myself… I've got two belts—where is he? Who the f** is Paddy Pimblett right now? And why would he deserve to fight me?'* Ilia TopuriaGetty Images Topuria didn't stop there: 'Honestly, I can't stand the guy. If I could choose one fight, I'd fight him because people really dislike him. He's awful. It's like you shake his hand and he tries to bite it… Two people who really want to beat each other up. And what better than doing that in front of everyone and giving them a show?' Paddy PimblettGetty Images Pimblett, for his part, most recently made comments about Topuria during an appearance on the TNT Sports. He said: 'All his opponents on the bounce—Holloway just been fighting at 155, had to get back to 45 and had a war with Gaethje who had just been knocked out like two or three months earlier. Josh is like 37. Bryce—love him—but he's not a striker. Fought that Gracie... like, most of his fights coming up, you can compare them to my fights. People rag on my opponents too, you know what I mean?' Pimblett added: 'I don't think he beat Volk if Volk hadn't been knocked out three months previous. I think that's one of the reasons he moved to lightweight—because he didn't want the rematch with Volk' With UFC 317 scheduled for June 28, Topuria's immediate focus remains on Oliveira. But if he emerges victorious, there's no shortage of potential challengers. Justin Gaethje has already made it clear he wants the next title shot. However, a grudge match against Pimblett—with the bad blood already spilling—could draw even more fan interest. Either way, Topuria has options, and they're all high-stakes. Advertisement Related: New Court Ruling Adds to Ongoing Legal Struggles for BJ Penn: Report Related: 'He Will Never Lose Again' – Hall of Fame Trainer Sounds Off on Merab Dvalishvili's Relentless Rise This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Paddy Pimblett calls for Ilia Topuria fight as UFC star vows to end heated feud
After Topuria decided to move up to lightweight and become a two-division champion, Pimblett is eager to settle their bitter feud once and for all Paddy Pimblett has confidently promised to stop long-time rival Ilia Topuria wherever 'the fight goes' amid talks of a showdown between the pair. Pimblett, 30, is widely regarded as one of the biggest names in the sport. Still undefeated in the UFC, the Liverpudlian is ranked eighth in the lightweight rankings. 'The Baddy' continues to rise up the division and - earlier this year - picked up the biggest win of his career. Back in April, Pimblett scored a stunning knockout victory over former Bellator lightweight champion, Michael Chandler. Many believe the 30-year-old is at least one win away from competing for a world title. Over the last few years, Pimblett has gone back-and-forth verbally with Topuria. After almost clashing at a fighter hotel in London back in 2022, the pair have talked about a potential fight in the near future. With Topuria now moving up to 155lbs, a clash between the two could come sooner than expected. 'El Matador' is scheduled to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant title next weekend - with Pimblett set to be cageside for the mouthwatering clash. Should the former featherweight champion come away unscathed and with his hand raised, Pimblett can see him fighting for the belt next. In an interview with on behalf of All Out Fighting, he said: "If Ilia wins, I can see me fighting for the belt next. I'd never usually have said that if it was anyone else, as I'm only ranked 7, but the fact that he keeps talking about me and saying things about me, he's basically telling the world he wants to fight me. "I'm going to be there in Las Vegas on June 29 cage side. If he mentions me, I'll be getting pulled into the cage and I'll be laughing my head off. It'll be quite funny." Regarding how a potential clash between the pair would play out, 'The Baddy' fully believes that he will topple Topuria and settle their bitter feud once and for all. "I'd beat him just like I beat Michael Chandler," he continued. "Ilia thinks he'll knock me out, but he won't get close to me. I wouldn't let him get in range, I'd kick him everywhere and more than likely T/KO him with a punch or a kick. I could even ground him and stop him that way. "I think people overestimate Ilia. He's had a good run, I'm not saying he hasn't, but Jai Herbert hit him with a head kick a few fights ago and he almost didn't survive that. If Jai would have been a bit quicker after he dropped him, he would have finished him. He was very, very lucky to survive that. I'm a lot bigger than Jai, if I'd have hit him with that head kick, I'm snapping his chin, never mind knocking him out. "He's overestimated and had a nice easy run up the featherweight division. I know everyone says that about me, that I've fought people at the right time, and I probably have, but he's fought everyone at not just the right time, but the perfect time. I'd beat Ilia however the fight goes, and whenever it happens." If it is not Topuria next, Pimblett revealed he is open to taking on former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje in October. However, the American's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently claimed that his star client could walk away from the UFC if he does not fight for the title next. Reacting to Abdelaziz's comments, Pimblett did not mince his words, but has the utmost respect for Gaethje amid talks of a potential clash. "His manager talks s***. His manager is the craziest helmet in all of MMA, and that's saying something because there are a lot of helmets in the sport. It's a load of shit. It's scare tactics into giving him a title shot - I don't believe any of it. "I respect Gaethje, he's a brilliant fighter, but he's just beat the no.12 ranked fighter by decision, whereas I've just knocked out the no.7. I stopped Chandler in round 3, Gaethje couldn't even finish him. He had to take him to a decision."
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Paddy Pimblett reveals 'hatred' for Ilia Topuria as pair's rivalry reignites
The pair's rivalry is at risk at boiling over after Topuria - who fights for the vacant lightweight title this month - recently aimed a furious dig at the Brit Paddy Pimblett reveals he has a 'genuine hatred' for Ilia Topuria after the latter branded the Liverpudlian as a 'hypocrite.' Over the past few years, the pair have traded barbs on social media on multiple occasions. Pimblett and Topuria nearly came to blows in London back in 2022 after Topuria confronted 'The Baddy' over comments he made about his fellow Georgians. That said, the two stars shared a quick embrace during the UFC's most recent trip to London in March - much to the surprise of many. That did not last long, though, as 'El Matador' recently revealed he still dislikes the British sensation. In an interview with ESPN Deportes, Topuria said: '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?" Unsurprisngly, the 28-year-old's comments quickly went viral and found their way to Pimblett - who did not hold back in his response. Speaking to on behalf of All Out Fighting, he said: "I've got a genuine hatred for Topuria; I think he's a b*****. I'm not in denial, I still think he's a good fighter, but I know that I'd beat him. Why did he call me a hypocrite? Is it because I called him a little fat midget? He's about 5ft 6in and can't make featherweight. "I don't know how he can keep calling me fat. He's f****** tiny but can't even make featherweight. I make weight every time, I don't miss my weights. Call me fat all you want; I don't give a f***. I like to enjoy my life. You're only fat if you can't make your weight division anymore." Pimblett well and truly announced himself on the world stage in his last outing against Michael Chandler. The Liverpudlian dominated from start to finish - knocking out the American in the third round. Now ranked in the top ten at lightweight, a showdown between Pimblett and Topuria could finally take place sooner rather than later. Topuria is set to fight Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title next weekend after Islam Makhachev vacated the belt in favour of a move up to welterweight. Sharing his thoughts on the upcoming clash in Las Vegas, Pimblett said: "I hate making fight predictions; I know better than anyone, once you're in the cage and the door shuts, anything can happen. If Ilia wins, I think he has to knock Charles out. That's Ilia's only route to victory, catching him on the chin. Charles is a bit 'chinny' these days, he's had a lot of fights and got some wear and tear on his body. "Ilia has power, but Charles has the experience. Max Holloway had a lot of wear and tear before Ilia knocked him out, so did Alexander Volkanovski, and he'd just been knocked out three or four months earlier. The fight could pan out in his favour, but I could also see Charles using his size and submitting him or getting a decision by frustrating him for a couple of rounds. It's probably a genuine 50/50 fight for me; I can't really pick a winner. I'm a fan of Charles, even though I want to fight him. I've always been a big fan of his."
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Paddy Pimblett: 'I get laughed at for it, but I know I beat Ilia Topuria'
Paddy Pimblett: 'I get laughed at for it, but I know I beat Ilia Topuria' Laugh all you want, but Paddy Pimblett is adamant he can beat Ilia Topuria. Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) sees a fight with fellow UFC star Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) as inevitable. What started as a scuffle in London in March 2022 has now led to potentially one of the biggest fights the UFC could make. Topuria recently went off on Pimblett and said he'd be open to fighting because he "hates" him. Pimblett is on the cusp of title contention after a dominant finish of Michael Chandler at UFC 314, and Topuria will battle Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight belt in the UFC 317 headliner on June 28. "If Ilia wins and says he wants to fight me, the UFC will make that fight," Pimblett said of Topuria on Aspinall's YouTube channel. "Because they know it's a money fight. That's one of them fights where they'll do a f*cking world press tour like McGregor-Aldo." Topuria has never lost in his professional MMA career. After starting out with seven consecutive submission wins, Topuria has leaned on his striking during his UFC featherweight title run. He is coming off back-to-back knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. "I know I'd beat him," Pimblett said of Topuria. "Funny because I get laughed at for it, but I know I'd beat him. We've already talked about game plans to beat him, and I know how to beat him. No one goes for his weaknesses when they fight. "Everyone just decides to have a boxing match with him. I'm not going to come out and have a boxing match with him. I am going to beat him with my all-around MMA game. As I said, I know I'd beat him, and I reckon I'd proper hurt him and just shut everyone up even more like I love to do."
The Sun
4 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."
