Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Paddy Pimblett during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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“He Might Get A Fright” – Paddy Pimblett Calls Out Size Disparity Ahead Of Topuria-Oliveira Clash!

Paddy Pimblett gives his insight into the upcoming fight between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria at UFC 317

Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Paddy Pimblett during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The fight fans are in high anticipation as UFC 317 approaches. They can’t wait to see featherweight champion Ilia Topuria step up to challenge Charles Oliveira. But one outspoken fighter has thrown a wrench into the hype machine. Paddy Pimblett recently shared his thoughts on the matchup, and he is not sure if Topuria knows what he is getting into.

The 10 pound difference between these two is massive. But in saying that, Pimblett had his winning prediction set for Topuria. He believes that Oliviera has a habit of getting punched in every fight, and with Topuria, this may not be a scramble to the ground but instant lights out!

Also Read: Undefeated Michael Morales Targets Ian Garry After Dominating Win At UFC Vegas 106

Paddy Pimblett Discusses The Size Factor

Fighting is all about matchups, styles, and physical attributes. When a smaller fighter moves up in weight, they risk facing bigger, stronger opponents. This is exactly what Pimblett warns about in his recent interview with TNT Sports. The Liverpool native believes the ten-pound jump from featherweight to lightweight might shock Topuria when he stands across from Oliveira in the octagon.

“That 10 pounds makes a big difference.People don’t understand that unless they’re in the sport. Charles is like my height… Ilia might get a bit of a fright at how big Charles is.”

"Ilia might get a bit of a fright when he sees how big Charles is" 😳

Paddy Pimblett gives his prediction on Ilia Topuria 🆚 Charles Oliveira at #UFC317 🔥

Watch the full interview with @AdamCatterall and @PaddyTheBaddy on TNT Sports YouTube now ▶️ pic.twitter.com/oOBqWmoNsJ
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) May 18, 2025

The Baddy didn’t mince words when comparing their statures. He noted that Oliveira stands eye-to-eye with him, while Topuria would be looking up at both of them. Size differences often play out in unexpected ways during fights. Pimblett suggests Topuria might face a similar reality check. He recalled how fighters like Bobby Green and Michael Chandler seemed surprised by his own size at lightweight.

What’s At Stake In This Fight?

Weight class jumps have created some of UFC‘s most memorable moments. Conor McGregor stunned the world by knocking out Eddie Alvarez to become a two-division champion. But not all stories end happily. Alexander Volkanovski twice came up short against Islam Makhachev despite being considered the pound-for-pound best. Max Holloway’s incredible featherweight skills couldn’t overcome Dustin Poirier’s lightweight power. Now Topuria stands at this same crossroads. His perfect record and knockout power made him unstoppable at featherweight. But against a battle-tested veteran like Oliveira, who’s competed against the division’s biggest names, will those advantages hold up?

Topuria’s confidence remains sky-high despite Pimblett’s warnings. UFC 317 will answer whether Topuria can join the elite club of two-division champions or if Pimblett’s size warning proves prophetic. Either way, fight fans are in for a treat when two of the sport’s most exciting fighters clash. Sometimes the biggest challenges create the most spectacular victories, or the most humbling defeats.

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

Charles Oliveira

Ilia Topuria

Paddy Pimblett

UFC 317

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!