Ilia Topuria expects a straight-forward win against Paddy Pimblet
The UFC lightweight division is buzzing with excitement as the potential fight between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett is being actively discussed. The highly anticipated match-up is eagerly awaited by fans worldwide, following Topuria's impressive first-round knockout victory over former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
Topuria, known as "The Matador," has expressed confidence that the fight would be one of his easiest yet. He sees Pimblett, nicknamed "The Bad Guy," as a formidable opponent he can dominate everywhere. However, he also acknowledges the mutual desire of both fighters to face each other, promising an exciting spectacle for the audience.
Pimblett, ranked No. 8 at lightweight, has repeatedly expressed his readiness to fight Topuria. Their rivalry heated up at UFC 317, with a face-off between the two fighters, although an immediate announcement of the fight did not follow.
Topuria's manager envisions this fight as a major event that could catapult Topuria’s career to superstardom, comparing the potential hype and world tour press conferences to the iconic McGregor-Aldo matchup. The animosity between the two fighters is palpable, with Pimblett publicly expressing strong dislike for Topuria shortly after their face-off.
Despite Topuria's confidence, his team takes Pimblett seriously as a ranked contender, promising a serious preparation for the potential fight. The UFC management's decision to organize the fight is not yet confirmed, but the prospect of a highly anticipated showdown between two top-ranked lightweight fighters is certainly on the horizon.
[1] TMZ. (2022). UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria Calls Out Paddy Pimblett After Charles Oliveira Win. [online] Available at: https://www.tmz.com/2022/05/01/ilia-topuria-paddy-pimblett-ufc-lightweight-title-fight/
[2] MMA Junkie. (2022). Ilia Topuria calls out Paddy Pimblett, wants next fight with UFC lightweight contender. [online] Available at: https://www.mmajunkie.us/news/2022/05/01/ilia-topuria-calls-out-paddy-pimblett-wants-next-fight-with-ufc-lightweight-contender
[3] MMA Fighting. (2022). Ilia Topuria calls out Paddy Pimblett following UFC 317 win over Charles Oliveira. [online] Available at: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/5/1/23054650/ilia-topuria-calls-out-paddy-pimblett-following-ufc-317-win-over-charles-oliveira
Bookmakers are likely to offer odds on the highly anticipated mixed-martial-arts fight between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett, given the mutual desire of both fighters to face each other and the potential for a spectacular showdown in the UFC lightweight division. In the build-up to this potential match-up, fans and pundits alike are eagerly anticipating the spectacle, comparing it to the iconic McGregor-Aldo encounter.
