Ilia Topuria rips lightweight Paddy Pimblett for crass banter on nation: “I’m gonna take your f***ing head off!”
Champion Ilia Topuria blasts UFC lightweight sensation Paddy Pimblett for alleged comments about country during wartime suffering.
Follow Us
Ilia Topuria slams Paddy Pimblett for commentary on his nation (Source: X/IMAGO)
While questions remain over the next UFC lightweight/featherweight title scraps, a new rivalry has formed. UFC 145-pound king Ilia Topuria is more than eager to go up to lightweight. Paddy Pimblett dismissed his chances. However, per Topuria, the foe might have crossed a few more lines than he ought to.
Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is open for a title rematch against Alexander Volkanovski. He snagged the 145-pound title last February from Volk. However, the Alicante Georgian would much rather go up to 155, as it suits his natural hydration. Even Climent Club MMA’s (Spain) coaches recently shed light on it.
However, “Baddy” Pimblett thinks Topuria’s star power does not warrant a title crack at the promotion’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Islam Makhachev. Topuria says he might have gone too far to prove that point.
He, he …has a lot of hype this and that but the quality of the fighter he is, …man come on please don’t even compare me to that boom! …He started to talk about the war we had against Russia and that he said something ‘now I understand why, …why the Russians put the bombs in in Georgia’… and many kids died in that war! When you start to joke about that kind of things just make sure that we don’t find each other anywhere because I’m going to take your fu*king head off! he wants to build his hype laughing on people and that’s not the way I’m looking to build a hype…
Ilia Topuria on FULL SEND PODCAST by Kyle Forgeard (@FULLSENDPODCAST)
During his recent appearance on the “Blood Red” Podcast (@BloodRedLiverpoolFC) with Keifer MacDonald/Joe Rimmer, and while also with Daniel Cortes, Pimblett rained a lot on Topuria. The Scouser sensation has been maintaining this rivalry even before expecting a matchup. That was before Topuria’s talks of shifting up collided with his own plans for 155-pound undisputed gold.
Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is one of the most popular competitors on the list and might soon find himself contending for gold. However, he might have dissed the Alicante Georgian’s roots and the not-so-sublime topic of the theater of war with Russia. It’s something even Merab Dvalishvili has felt irked about recently. With the floodgates now wide open, this is quite the active rivalry. More so, as both fighters have been teasing fight news.
Where is Paddy Pimblett heading?
Ilia Topuria and his title trajectory have been the go-to issue for a hot moment or two. The MMA spectrum has also been evaluating, splitting the odds on him versus Makhachev for the UFC lightweight crown. Topuria has also been eager to fight Charles Oliveira for the UFC 155-pound top contender spot.
He also has this rivalry brewing with Scouser Pimblett. “El Matador” refuses to go the distance and be crass in banter. That’s how he describes himself, as he often finds himself fielding questions about similarities with “The Notorious” Conor McGregor. With the levels McGregor is treading, Topuria says he doesn’t want to swoop like that with Pimblett or any other. However, the rivalry still stands.
But it’s all been ‘Topuria’ news on the spectrum. What about Paddy Pimblett? Pimblett has been a polarizing figure in the lightweight class and roster for over three cycles. At the UFC 304 PPV in July, “The Baddy” delivered a Submission of the Year contender vs. King Green and snagged a new contract. Could 2025 be the breakout year for him? There are a few possibilities.
Michael Chandler calls out Paddy Pimblett to a fight at #UFC317 on June 28th 👀🔥
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 12, 2025
(via. @MikeChandlerMMA) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/o2XapnP5gV
🚨| Paddy Pimblett has revealed his three-fight plan to get the UFC lightweight title. 👀🏆
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) February 12, 2025
– Top 8 opponent (#UFC314 – Miami)
– Top 5 opponent (October – Abu Dhabi)
– Lightweight title fight (2026)
[per @LivEchoLFC] pic.twitter.com/rR5G7VOSc5
After recent teases, Michael Chandler yet again teased a fight with him on IG stories. This time, it’s for UFC 317 PPV, live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on June 28, International Fight Week.
Meanwhile, Renato Moicano recently let loose that Pimblett vs. Mateusz Gamrot might be a thing on the mills. In his media appearance with Liverpool FC News, the Englishman lightweight himself named some options, hinting at UFC 314. As such, the combat world awaits such a piece of news.
Related: Ilia Topuria Net Worth, UFC Contract, Endorsements, and House
Stay Updated!
Dibaas.M
(1406 Articles Published)