On Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Ilia Topuria secured a stunning victory in the UFC Lightweight Title fight by knocking out former champion Charles Oliveira just two minutes and 27 seconds into the bout. Following this win, British lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett issued a fierce warning to Topuria, signaling his intention to face the undefeated fighter in the Octagon next for the championship.
Topuria’s knockout victory extended his perfect professional record to 17-0, showcasing his rise as a formidable force in the lightweight division. The event also featured a tense post-fight faceoff between Topuria and Pimblett, igniting a heated rivalry that captured the attention of fans and UFC president Dana White, who acknowledged Pimblett as the top contender but stopped short of confirming the next matchup.
Pimblett’s Fiery Challenge to Topuria After UFC 317
In the immediate aftermath of the fight, Pimblett spoke candidly about his desire to move quickly toward a showdown with Topuria. During the ESPN UFC 317 post-fight show, Pimblett declared,
“You don’t even need to sell that fight – it sells itself,”
highlighting the natural intensity between the two fighters.
He expressed a deep personal dislike for Topuria, drawing parallels to the bitter rivalry once seen between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor.
“Two people who genuinely dislike each other. We don’t really get that,”
Pimblett said, emphasizing the rare animosity fueling this potential battle.
Further explaining his mindset, Pimblett added,
“Because I hate him, I wouldn’t want to finish him fast, I would want to finish him with a minute left in the fight after I’ve elbow him 700 times. I’d want to disfigure him.”
These intense remarks underscored his determination and readiness to take on Topuria.
UFC President Dana White Comments on Pimblett and Topuria Rivalry
Although Dana White acknowledged Pimblett as the number one contender calling for a title shot at Topuria, he refrained from confirming any official bout. White’s cautious stance reflects the high stakes surrounding this potential clash while adding to the growing anticipation among fans.
Responding to doubts about his chances against Topuria, Pimblett admitted that he expects to be seen as the underdog.
“I’m more motivated when I’m like that, especially the fact that everyone thinks I’ll lose,”
he revealed, expressing eagerness to prove skeptics wrong.
He continued,
“I’m more motivated when I’m like that, especially the fact that everyone thinks I’ll lose,”
and,
Everyone thinks I’ll lose. Nine out of 10 people probably think he’ll knock me out. I love proving people wrong. It just gives me this warm, fuzzy feeling inside making people eat their own words.
—Paddy Pimblett, UFC Lightweight Contender
Pimblett left no doubt about his commitment when he said,
“I cannot wait. I can’t be booked with anyone else now. It’s as simple as that. I am fighting him next and I am going to take his little head off for him.”
—Paddy Pimblett, UFC Lightweight Contender
Fan Reactions and the Path Forward for Topuria and Pimblett
The rivalry between Topuria and Pimblett is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated matchups in the lightweight division. Fans have criticized what they see as Topuria’s premature celebration following his impressive win, suggesting he needs to be humbled before stepping into a bout with a fierce challenger like Pimblett.
With Topuria’s dominant performance at UFC 317 and Pimblett’s relentless pursuit of a title shot, the stage is set for a high-stakes encounter that could reshape the lightweight landscape. UFC watchers will closely monitor developments as the organization weighs the timing and build-up of this potential showdown.
Given the heightened tension and contrasting styles, the Ilia Topuria UFC title fight against Paddy Pimblett promises to be a defining moment in the UFC’s competitive scene.