Paddy Pimblett received’t be preventing for a title anytime quickly if it’s as much as Islam Makhachev.
The previous UFC light-weight champion was requested about who he expects Ilia Topuria—who claimed the 155-pound title in Makhachev’s absence—to defend towards subsequent and whereas he sees “El Matador” as having a number of good choices, together with Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje, Pimblett isn’t one in every of them.
“I really feel Arman must be subsequent as a result of this man deserves it,” Makhachev instructed ESPN. “He did a mistake when he was presupposed to combat with me. He was injured, he didn’t come to weigh in, however he’s nonetheless No. 1 within the division and he must combat for the title.
“Perhaps Arman, perhaps Gaethje, however not Paddy, for positive.”
Makhachev was presupposed to combat Tsarukyan at UFC 311 this previous January, however Tsarukyan withdrew resulting from a again harm and was changed on the last-minute by Renato Moicano, who Makhachev submitted within a spherical. The next Could, Makhachev formally introduced a transfer to welterweight to problem Jack Della Maddalena, with that bout now scheduled for UFC 322 on Nov. 15.
Topuria, after vacating a featherweight title, knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to win the light-weight belt, and afterwards was confronted by Pimblett contained in the octagon. Dana White has not introduced plans for a Topuria vs. Pimblett combat, and regardless of Pimblett proudly owning a 7-0 UFC document, Makhachev is on the identical web page because the UFC CEO.
“Paddy beat who?” Makhachev stated. “Tony Ferguson? Who else he beat? [Michael] Chandler? All people beat Chandler.”
“He can do some issues, however I don’t see a giant probability,” Makhachev stated of Pimblett’s talent set. “I don’t know, perhaps, truthfully it’s not a giant problem for Topuria. Arman is a very huge deal. If he beats Arman, as a result of Arman has good expertise hanging, wrestling, grappling, he’s a great fighter. Paddy, no one checked Paddy earlier than.”
Makhachev is presently absolutely targeted on Della Maddalena, however so long as he and Topuria are inside one weight class of each other, followers will speculate on a possible superfight between the rivals. That discuss is okay for Makhachev, who hasn’t closed the door on settling the rating with Topuria, particularly given the potential magnitude of the competition.
“Now I don’t know who’s going to be subsequent for Ilia,” Makhachev stated. “When you’re speaking about our combat, I’ve a great combat now and I do know he’s going to combat quickly and we’ll see what’s going to occur. He desires to combat on the White Home and I additionally need to be there.”
“For the MMA group, it’s going to be a giant combat,” he added. “Individuals need this combat and if UFC desires this combat, then we are able to do that. … I do know UFC desires to do some huge combat in White Home. Which combat goes to be greater than this?”
