Paddy Pimblett, fresh off a significant third-round TKO win against Michael Chandler, has secured a spot among the UFC lightweight top ten. With momentum on his side, Pimblett is ready to climb the rankings but believes a title shot could be within reach at UFC 317 if Ilia Topuria defeats Charles Oliveira for the lightweight championship.
In a recent conversation with Tom Aspinall, Pimblett stated,
If Ilia wins and says he wants to fight me, the UFC will make that fight,
emphasizing the lucrative potential of the matchup.
Because they know it’s a money fight. That’s one of them fights where they’ll do a f—ing world press tour like McGregor vs. Aldo.
The Brewing Rivalry Between Pimblett and Topuria
The tension between Pimblett and Topuria has been building for years, including reported altercations at fighter accommodations. Despite Topuria’s readiness to confront Pimblett physically, when asked about his preferred next opponent, Topuria revealed a preference for facing UFC’s top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan over Pimblett.
Topuria’s reluctance may stem from underestimating Pimblett’s threat, a misjudgment that the Liverpool-born fighter is confident to correct.
Pimblett’s Strategic Approach to Defeat Topuria
Pimblett boldly stated his confidence in overcoming Topuria, addressing the common criticism he faces,
Funny cuz 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 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’m going to beat him with my all-around MMA game.
This tactical plan highlights Pimblett’s intention to avoid a stand-up boxing battle, instead relying on a comprehensive mixed martial arts arsenal that targets Topuria’s vulnerabilities. He added,
As I said, I know I’d beat him up. And I reckon I’d proper hurt him and just shut everyone up even more, like I love to do.
Challenges Based on Topuria’s Previous Performances
Assessing Topuria’s fight style casts doubt on Pimblett’s claim to avoid striking exchanges. When Topuria fought Alexander Volkanovski, he maintained a standing battle throughout, confident enough to strike head-to-head with the reigning featherweight champion. This raises questions about whether Pimblett can successfully implement his proposed gameplan without engaging in a boxing match.
Nevertheless, Pimblett’s recent strong showings and growing physical presence at lightweight suggest he may have developed the tools to neutralize Topuria’s strengths. Fans remain intrigued about whether this potential clash will live up to the hype or fall short of expectations.
Anticipation Builds for a High-Stakes Encounter
With Pimblett asserting his readiness and the UFC anticipating a lucrative matchup, the fight between Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria carries significant implications for the lightweight division’s future. Should Topuria claim the title at UFC 317, a Pimblett showdown could become the next must-watch battle that promises intense competition and widespread attention.