Following his recent lightweight title victory, Ilia Topuria quickly directed a verbal challenge at Paddy Pimblett, who was present in the crowd. The confrontation escalated when UFC commentator Joe Rogan invited Pimblett into the Octagon for an intense staredown that ended with Topuria shoving Pimblett, igniting a physical clash between the two fighters.
This incident marks the latest chapter in the growing Paddy Pimblett Ilia Topuria beef, as both athletes express eagerness to face each other in the octagon. Their hostility has been brewing since 2021, tracing back to social media controversies and personal insults that heightened tensions over the years.
Early Exchanges Spark Initial Tensions Between Pimblett and Topuria
The origins of the rivalry began when Guram Kutateladze, after his UFC debut split decision win in 2021, called out Paddy Pimblett. Pimblett responded on social media with a dismissive and offensive post targeted at Georgians, a comment he later deleted. This provocative message caught the eye of Ilia Topuria, who is of Georgian descent, prompting him to respond sharply to Pimblett’s insult.
“Just cause that ugly little c*** has tweeted about me means nothing! He’s just the first fighter to tweet about me, there’ll be another 3 by the end of the week! I’d finish Guram, pal, it’s that simple. You Georgians are so dumb.”
Topuria answered with a biting retort about Pimblett’s appearance and physique:
“Calling others ugly when you are so ugly that I can’t even open your photo because I don’t have the antivirus! You seem to have a body ready to donate to science!”
These exchanges signaled the beginning of their ongoing feud, setting a hostile tone that would intensify over time.
Pimblett Escalates Conflict with Provocative Comments on Georgia’s History
After Topuria engaged, Pimblett doubled down on his critical remarks about Georgians with another deleted social media post, challenging Georgians to confront him face-to-face rather than hiding behind screens. Then, Pimblett made an inflammatory comment referencing Georgia’s complex and painful history with Russia, stirring further outrage.
Georgia’s history involves its brief independence in 1918, followed by Soviet invasion and incorporation into the USSR. After reclaiming independence in 1991, the country faced renewed conflict in 2008 when Russian-backed separatists in South Ossetia attacked Georgian villages. This resulted in a Russian military invasion and a ceasefire brokered by France, a conflict that caused significant loss of life and suffering.
Pimblett’s comment linked the historical conflict to Georgia’s current struggles, provoking outrage from Topuria:
“Lad how stupid are these Georgians, man. No wonder the Russians terrorize their lives.”
Topuria responded angrily, educating Pimblett on the severity of the conflict and condemning his support for terrorism and racism:
“You think that’s funny?! In that attack by Russia against us, many innocent people lost their lives, including children! The one who supports terrorism and racism is one of them! This tweet will haunt you for life!@PaddyTheBaddy pic.twitter.com/IxRvn6FkXK”
—Ilia Topuria
Physical Showdown in London Highlights Increasing Hostility
Although Paddy Pimblett eventually deleted his provocative posts and admitted ignorance regarding Georgia’s history, the feud persisted. When both fighters were scheduled to compete at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall on March 19, 2022, tensions escalated again during an altercation at their hotel. This hostile encounter was captured by The Mac Life, illustrating the intense personal animosity between the two athletes.
Topuria made it clear that a fight between them was inevitable, whether it happens inside the Octagon or elsewhere. Following Topuria’s recent decisive win against Charles Oliveira, both fighters have openly expressed their desire to settle the conflict once and for all in the cage.
The escalating Paddy Pimblett Ilia Topuria beef has now reached a critical juncture, fueled by past insults, cultural tensions, and ongoing provocations. The physical clash after Topuria’s title win suggests their confrontation is far from over, making a future showdown a highly anticipated event in the UFC landscape.