Paddy Pimblett would love the chance to welcome Ilia Topuria to the light-weight division.
Topuria had a sensational 2024, profitable Fighter of the Yr honors for his knockout wins over all-time greats Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. The truth is, Topuria’s 12 months was so spectacular that regardless of solely having one title protection to his identify, the featherweight champion is already angling for a transfer as much as 155 kilos, even concentrating on a battle with former champion Charles Oliveira if he can’t get a title battle towards Islam Makhachev instantly. However Pimblett believes that’s a little bit too quickly.
“Ilia’s a midget,” Pimblett informed Daniel Cortes. “Folks don’t perceive how a lot greater I’m than Ilia. I’m a lot greater than him; folks don’t understand. I’d like to do a stare down with him, simply so everybody can see how a lot greater I truly am than him. …
“Don’t get me improper, he’s excellent. Simply because I don’t like him doesn’t imply I’m going to take a seat right here and lie. He’s an excellent fighter. He’s. However I additionally suppose he received fast-tracked to the belt as a result of [Volkanovski] had cleared the featherweight division out already. I feel he received fast-tracked to the belt. He’d solely beat Bryce Mitchell and Josh Emmett and received a title shot. He didn’t even must beat Brian Ortega or Yair Rodriguez or Arnold Allen. He skipped these fighters and received to battle for the belt simply because Volk had cleared the division out.
“And I personally don’t suppose he knocks Volk out until Volk received head kicked 12 weeks earlier than by Islam [Makhachev]. I feel Volk fought far too quickly. Volk was profitable that first and second spherical till he received caught. I feel the rematch goes to be very telling as a result of, clearly, he knocked Holloway out. Holloway’s by no means been knocked out, however he’s been in a number of wars. He’s took a whole lot of harm. I feel if he beats Volk a second time after which beats a Diego Lopes, then yeah, he may go down as one of the best featherweight of all time. However he’s speaking about coming as much as light-weight when he’s solely had one title protection. I feel you’ll want to defend the belt at the very least 3 times if you wish to battle for the belt within the division above.”
Pimblett and Topuria have their very own historical past, relationship again to 2022, when the 2 had altercation at a UFC London occasion the place each competed. The 2 practically got here to blows once more later that 12 months on the UFC 282 press convention earlier than safety intervened. Since then, their rivalry has endured, and whereas Topuria might not be interested by settling their variations within the cage anymore, Pimblett is more than pleased to oblige.
“If he desires to come back to light-weight, I’m right here ready,” Pimblett stated. “I’ll be there to welcome him. I don’t suppose anybody else within the division has received extra of a declare to welcome him to the division than I’ve. … I’d like to have a good battle with him and kick him all around the gaff.”
