Whereas many individuals have been impressed with Paddy Pimblett’s efficiency at UFC 314, former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria was not certainly one of them.
Pimblett blasted his means by means of former Bellator champion Michael Chandler within the night’s co-main occasion, securing a third-round TKO over ‘Iron’ to increase his unbeaten streak contained in the Octagon to seven. Subsequently, ‘The Baddy’ would discover himself with a top-10 rating for the primary time in his profession, overtaking the No. 8 spot.
Probably one win away from his first shot at UFC gold, Pimblett’s star energy grew exponentially in a single day, however some counsel the Liverpudlian nonetheless hasn’t been examined in opposition to an elite opponent.
El Matador’ (or no matter he calls himself now) was prepared to present Pimblett some credit score for his efficiency in Miami, however rapidly pulled again on his reward, calling Chandler an “average-level” fighter who’s by no means crushed anybody of not contained in the Octagon.
“He did an important job,” Topuria stated of Pimblett on The Joe Rogan Expertise. “He did what he needed to do, however for me… I’m going to be fully sincere with you, for me, Chandler, he by no means was a rare fighter. He was like an average-level fighter. Who did he beat within the UFC? …
“So he beat Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson, when [Ferguson] was nearly 40 years outdated.”
Topuria didn’t compete at UFC 314, however his presence was felt as he formally vacated the featherweight title, later gained that night time by way of a superb efficiency from ex-titleholder Alexander Volkanovski within the night’s headliner.
Michael Chandler’s type of combating is just not for ilia topuria
As for Chandler, ‘El Matador’ acknowledges that ‘Iron’ has a fan-friendly type of combating that makes him an plain favourite amongst viewers, however it’s nothing greater than type over substance in Topuria’s eyes.
“On the finish of the day, you see wars,” Topuria stated. “It’s a really aggressive battle. You see nearly a bar battle. You see two guys in the course of the Octagon exchanging punches, however you don’t see approach. You don’t see abilities.
“You’ll see an important battle, as a result of as followers, it’s very entertaining to look at fights like that. However when you actually give it some thought, you don’t see abilities in that battle. You don’t see somebody attempting to take you down, management you, some nice submissions, nice transitions, placing — see a man that’s on the lookout for mixtures, on the lookout for his second, creating areas. …
“It’s simply wild canines… and that’s cool. You want guys like him. … I might by no means suggest to somebody, ‘Watch this man and study one thing.’”
