Latest news with #UFC282
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ilia Topuria sounds off on rival: 'Who the f*ck is Paddy Pimblett right now?'
Ilia Topuria sounds off on rival: 'Who the f*ck is Paddy Pimblett right now?' Ilia Topuria wants to put his rivalry with Paddy Pimblett to rest by meeting in the octagon. It's clear that the two parties don't like each other, but their paths have never aligned to meet inside the cage to exchange more than insults behind a microphone. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) recently vacated the UFC featherweight title to move up to the lightweight division, where Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) resides. Even though they will both be in the same division, a few things will likely need to happen for the promotion to feel like the fight makes sense. Topuria will challenge former champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317, while Pimblett, ranked No. 8 by the promotion, is coming off a win over former title challenger Michael Chandler at UFC 314 and does not yet have another fight scheduled. Topuria recalls Pimblett comparing their careers at the UFC 282 pre-fight press conference, when they shared a pay-per-view card. Pimblett fought in the co-main event against Jared Gordon while Topuria fought in the main card opener against Bryce Mitchell. "He's a hypocrite," Topuria told ESPN Deportes in Spanish. "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*ck is Paddy Pimblett right now and why would he deserve to fight me right now?" Since sharing the stage at that press conference, Topuria captured the 145-pound title two fights later, while Pimblett has continued his steady ascent at 155 pounds. The two have continued to take shots at each other in various interviews over the years, but Topuria is now eager to just settle things once and for all when it counts. So much so that Topuria says he'd pick Pimblett if he could choose his next opponent – to not only put their rivalry to rest, but to also add another finish to his record. "Honestly, if I could choose a fight, I would fight him because I hate him," Topuria said. "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."
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Darren Till bemoans lack of 'spark' in current UFC product: 'It seems s*** at the moment'
Three years have passed Darren Till last fought in the Octagon, when he lost a hard-fought battle to current middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 282. Although Till has moved on to professional boxing with the U.K.-based Misfits promotion, the one-time UFC title challenger has still kept an eye on the product he once called home. Speaking on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show" ahead of his Friday bout at Misfits Boxing 21, Till shared what he believes has become a star problem within the UFC over the past few years. Advertisement "I get messages every day from people like, 'When are you coming back? We need a superstar,'" Till said. "Now granted, look, I'm from Liverpool, and there's a guy flying the flag for Liverpool right now, Paddy [Pimblett], there's still superstars in the UFC, but it does feel like it's dampened a little bit. Fights aren't getting made. I don't know, it just all seems a little fake and stuff like that as well. "It seems s*** at the moment. It seems like when I was in the welterweight division, it seemed like it was just killers' row. Now the welterweight division just seems s***. I'm sorry to say the welterweight division is on its ass. The lightweight division I feel like is on its ass. The featherweight division, on its ass. The middleweight division, probably the best one for me at the moment. Light heavyweight, on its ass. Heavyweight, on its ass. It's just on its ass. But I do love the UFC. I love Dana [White], what they do. But right now it just seems like it's on its ass a bit. I just want a bit of spark. "I feel like there's a few things missing," Till concluded. Advertisement Till, 32, closed the door on MMA for his own foreseeable future, but remains adamant that his interest could reignite at some point. As of now, the financial boon that boxing brings is too much for him to pass up, and he's enjoying the progress made in his game. Meanwhile, in the UFC, old foe du Plessis is set to make his next defense of the UFC middleweight title against Till's friend and occasional teammate: Feared, undefeated super-contender Khamzat Chimaev. News broke about the middleweight title tilt Tuesday when UFC CEO Dana White announced the pairing as the headliner for UFC 319 in August. Even though their paths have gone in entirely different directions since their 2022 fight, Till still finds himself annoyed by du Plessis. Come fight night for UFC 319, Till expects the world will hear "And new." "Tell Dricus I said 'f*** him,' by the way. I can't stand his guts because he's so s***, he's so good," Till said. Advertisement "With respect, I'm never going to look past Dricus. He trains hard, he's super dedicated, he's super strong. He's got that awkward style that doesn't make any sense. I think Khamzat will beat him inside two rounds. I really do believe that. But look, Khamzat knows it's a tough fight, but Khamzat trains like a beast. I do think Khamzat gets it done in two rounds." Regarding his own career, Till is back in action Friday in Derby, England. Taking on fellow UFC alum Darren Stewart, Till will compete in his second pro boxing match after a January win over Anthony Taylor. The match represents Stewart's boxing debut after the pair's original March fight date was canceled. Advertisement Between Stewart's inexperience and lack of success in his MMA run compared to Till, the Liverpudlian finds himself a heavy favorite for the match. Despite that, Till has learned from past experiences that underestimating an opponent is arguably the worst thing a fighter can do. "I think if you're ever going into mortal combat, you should never, ever, ever underestimate your opponent," Till said. "I did that one time in my life, and it was the first ever time I got knocked out for it. "That was one camp I don't think I took it seriously because Jorge [Masdvidal] had just come out of some celebrity reality show [before UFC London in 2019]. I'm not making excuses, he f***ing knocked me clean out and it was phenomenal, the way he done it. But yeah, I don't think we should ever, as men, underestimate anyone else. So Darren fought in the UFC, he's a tough guy. I've got to be on my A-game to finish him on Saturday in eight rounds. ... He's strong and he's durable. I don't think he's as good of a striker as me. I was one of the best strikers in the UFC at one point. I really was."
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC champ Islam Makhachev's coach says Paddy Pimblett 'deserves' next title shot
UFC champ Islam Makhachev's coach says Paddy Pimblett 'deserves' next title shot Javier Mendez would have no issues if Paddy Pimblett was awarded a UFC title shot. Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) remained unbeaten in the octagon when he finished-former title challenger Michael Chandler by TKO in this past Saturday's UFC 314 co-headliner in Miami. "The Baddy" called out top contenders Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier, but UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev's (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) head coach thinks Pimblett has earned a title shot already. "Paddy is ready to face anybody," Mendez said on his "Javier & Mo Show" podcast. "I mean, what he's done already, his credentials, his winning record in the UFC, his hype, and what he can do, how he can motivate people. If they give him the next title shot, he deserves it." Mendez admits he wasn't initially sold on Pimblett, but he was eventually able to win him over. He also likes what Pimblett brings to the table from a promotional aspect. 'Let's see who they give him to. I don't know, but is he worthy? Yes," Mendez said. "He's very interesting. He's got all of England behind him and a lot of America behind him. Most of America will be behind him. He has a lot of fans, and I'm a fan. I wasn't a big fan in the beginning when he fought Jared Gordon, but I've become a huge fan." The American Kickboxing head coach thought Jared Gordon beat Pimblett when they fought at UFC 282 but has seen vast strides in Pimblett's game ever since. "He's improved every single time," Mendez said of Pimblett. "Every time he comes out, his confidence is stronger and stronger all the time. His speaking is pretty impressive. I like him. He's fun to watch. I can't understand half the words he says, but I do pick up on him. ...He's funny."
USA Today
26-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-champion Jan Blachowicz reacts to UFC Fight Night 255 loss: 'I'll leave the verdict for discussion'
Jan Blachowicz released a statement following his UFC Fight Night 255 loss. In his first fight since July 2023, Blachowicz (29-11-1 MMA, 12-8-1 UFC) was outpointed by Carlos Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) in this past Saturday's co-main event at The O2 in London. The former UFC light heavyweight champion was disappointed in the outcome, and thinks the judges got it wrong. 'This camp was one of the best I've had. I missed this, every part of this game. The welcome and support during fight week #UFCLondon from the whole @ufc team was amazing – I knew you missed me, but I didn't know it was like this! 😀 Thank you! More controversy on the record, as it turns out the approach to significant strikes doesn't align with the actual meaning. I'll leave the verdict for discussion. What happened in the stands after the announcement, and what's happening online right now, is pretty telling 😉 I appreciate it, but the verdict is out there, and unfortunately, it will stay on my record. We keep moving forward, going for more. Your support has been huge, and I'll remember this moment for a long time #TeamJanek 🙌🏻 #LegendaryPolishPower.' Blachowicz, 42, is now winless in his past three fights. He battled current champion Magomed Ankalaev to a split draw at UFC 282, dropped a split decision to ex-champ Alex Pereira at UFC 291, and now a unanimous decision to streaking contender Ulberg. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.
USA Today
23-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Title shot '100 percent' Carlos Ulberg's plan after UFC Fight Night 255 win
LONDON – Carlos Ulberg only sees one logical option after UFC Fight Night 255. Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) made it eight-straight wins when he defeated former champion Jan Blachowicz (29-11-1 MMA, 12-8-1 UFC) in Saturday's co-main event at The O2 in London. The City Kickboxing fighter wants a shot at newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC), who's currently targeting a title-fight rematch with Alex Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC). 'Eight-fight win streak, the longest win streak in the light heavyweight division, I'm definitely looking at a light heavyweight title contention,' Ulberg told reporters, including MMA Junkie during the post-fight news conference. Ulberg justified his case by comparing his performance against Blachowicz, to when Ankalaev and Pereira fought him. Ankalaev battled Blachowicz to a majority draw at UFC 282, whereas Pereira won a split decision. 'If you look at the current champion and the former champion, their last fight with Jan Blachowicz was a very close fight, as well,' Ulberg said. 'I beat him with a unanimous decision, so it's a very good feat for me.' Earlier this week, former champion Jiri Prochazaka said he's eyeing the winner of Ulberg vs. Blachowicz. Ulberg was asked about Prochazka's callout. 'Yeah for sure, I'll get anyone. But where is he placed at the moment?' Ulberg said. 'I'm looking to go forward for sure, and I'm definitely looking at the title shot in the near future.' For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.
