Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Paddy Pimblett (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Tony Ferguson (not pictured) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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Paddy Pimblett Gives His Bold Take On Ilia Topuria’s Move To Lightweight

The rivalry between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett stays alive with backhanded comments from the UK native

The UFC lightweight division has always been a shark tank. Fighters rise and fall quickly in this talent-rich weight class. Recently, featherweight champion Ilia Topuria shocked many by vacating his title to move up. This decision has sparked debate throughout the MMA community. One voice stands out among the critics: Liverpool’s own Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett, who isn’t holding back his thoughts on Topuria’s ambitious weight class jump.

Pimblett and Topuria have history that makes this situation even spicier. The two nearly came to blows at a hotel in London back in 2022. Their heated exchange went viral, setting the stage for a potential future showdown.

Now with Topuria moving to Pimblett’s division, that possibility looks more realistic than ever. The timing is interesting too, as Pimblett’s star continues to rise in the UFC with six straight wins. Meanwhile Topuria’s stock has never been higher after knocking out legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.

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Paddy Pimblett’s Criticism

In typical Paddy fashion, he predicted disaster for Topuria, claiming this weight jump would be the downfall of his career. Pimblett’s criticism went beyond just size issues. He suggested Topuria is running from tough challenges at featherweight.

“He said he cemented his legacy at the weight. It’s a little bit of bullsh*t. Beat Volk again, beat (Diego) Lopes, beat (Movsar) Evloev, then you’ve cleared the division out then move up. Champions are too quick to want to move up now and not defend the belt.”

There is an interesting pattern Pimblett points out about modern champions that want to move up now and not defend the belt. This touches on a growing trend in the UFC, where holding two belts simultaneously has become the ultimate achievement. Fans have seen it with fighters like Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and others. But this chase for double-champ status often leaves divisions in limbo. Pimblett seems to favor the old-school approach of cleaning out your division before seeking new challenges.

Paddy Pimblett’s Next Fight Is a Certified Banger!

Before any potential clash with Ilia Topuria materializes, Pimblett faces a major test in former title challenger Michael Chandler. They will meet in the co-main event of UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami. This represents a significant step up in competition for Pimblett. Chandler may be on a losing streak, but he has faced the division’s elite and brings explosive power and wrestling credentials. If Pimblett can overcome Michael Chandler, his calls for a Topuria fight will carry much more weight.

The brewing feud between these two personalities promises fireworks if they eventually meet. Pimblett’s brash confidence versus Topuria’s proven knockout power would make for an intriguing stylistic matchup. For now, the verbal sparring continues, with Pimblett making it clear he would love nothing more than to welcome the featherweight king to his domain. As he put it simply: “I want that fight. That’s another one just to prove everyone wrong.”

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Ilia Topuria

Paddy Pimblett

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!