Following Ilia Topuria’s decisive victory at UFC 317 on Saturday night, UFC President Dana White expressed his disapproval of the unexpected face-off between Topuria and Paddy Pimblett. The incident occurred immediately after Topuria secured the title, overshadowing the moment with tension between the fighters.
Topuria dominated former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira with powerful strikes, marking his third consecutive knockout, this time finished within minutes. This result made Topuria one of the select few fighters to claim championships in two different weight classes.
Background of the Fight and Unexpected Confrontation
After capturing the belt, Topuria immediately issued a challenge to UK fighter Paddy Pimblett, despite having previously dismissed the possibility of facing him. The two rivals confronted each other in the Octagon, resulting in Topuria shoving Pimblett after exchanging heated words. This spontaneous encounter was not part of the official fight card or fight build-up, catching the UFC leadership off guard.
Dana White’s Strong Rejection of the Pimblett and Topuria Face-Off
Typically, face-offs inside the Octagon signal an imminent bout between the two fighters, which fans expect. However, Dana White saw this particular confrontation as inappropriate and poorly managed.
“Well, he’s the number one contender,”
White commented when discussing another fight booking.
“I just said that the winner of that fight would get a title shot and obviously, the fans wanted to [see the face-off].”
White went on to explain his discomfort with the situation, noting the presence of Topuria’s family in the Octagon at that moment.
“That’s not the fight,” White remarked about the Pimblett and Topuria face-off.
He emphasized that such an encounter “shouldn’t happen” and criticized whoever authorized Pimblett to enter the Octagon following the title bout.
“Well, that’s not really what we do,”
White responded when asked about the spectacle being entertaining.
“I don’t give a s— if it was fun to watch or not. That shouldn’t happen. Plus, he wins a second title in a higher division. It was a bad call by whoever the hell let them in there.”
Joe Rogan Facilitates Pimblett’s Entry and Tense Exchange in the Octagon
During his post-fight interview, Ilia Topuria declined to acknowledge Arman Tsarukyan as the next title contender, citing Tsarukyan’s recent withdrawal from a fight against Islam Makhachev because of a back injury. Instead, Topuria openly invited Pimblett to step into the cage.
“Paddy’s in the audience, let’s see if we can get him to come up,”
Joe Rogan stated, prompting security to allow Pimblett cage access with little hesitation.
This led to an intense verbal confrontation. Topuria aggressively taunted Pimblett,
“Look at me. I’m gonna submit you, you little p—-. I’m gonna put my b—- on your forehead,”
he declared.
Pimblett fired back with his own threat,
“You would never knock me out. I’d finish you little man,”
before Topuria physically pushed him, raising the tension further.
Implications for UFC and Future Matchups
This incident highlights the UFC’s challenge in managing fighter interactions post-bout, especially when unexpected confrontations can overshadow official outcomes. Dana White’s stern response signals a crackdown on unauthorized displays that could disrupt event protocols and fighter safety.
The drama between Topuria and Pimblett, underscored by the UFC 317 face-off, suggests growing rivalry and fan interest, but also raises questions about how such moments should be controlled in the future. While the UFC champions’ new status and rivalries generate excitement, adherence to established procedures remains a priority for maintaining the sport’s integrity and security.