Paddy Pimblett saw Ilia Topuria make history, and he still wants a piece of the UFC featherweight champion.
Topuria not only successfully defended his title in Saturday’s UFC 308 main event, he became the first fighter ever to defeat Max Holloway by knockout. It’s a feat that has vaulted Topuria to the front of the Fighter of the Year and Pound-for-Pound conversation as he improved to 16-0 with no end to his run in sight.
That is unless you’re Pimblett, the talkative lightweight that has had a longstanding feud with “El Matador.” Pimblett posted a reaction video to his YouTube in which he referred to Topuria by a different nickname while also expressing confidence that he could hand the 27-year-old champion his first loss.
“Hand sanitizer boy with the win,” Pimblett said. “Heavy. Well done, Ilia. Give you your due, lad, 16-0, ‘Hand Sanitizer Boy.’ Can’t wait for him to come back up to lightweight. Still think I’d beat him. I really do. I still think I’d beat him, whether he’s just beat Max Holloway or not.”
Though Topuria has fought just twice in 2024, he has now knocked out Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, two of the three best fighters to ever compete at 145 pounds. It’s unlikely he sees Topuria in the cage anytime soon with the champion welcoming a rematch with Volkanovski, a top contender bout between Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling at UFC 309 potentially producing Topuria’s next challenger, plus the outside possibility that Topuria lands a fight with Islam Makhachev or Conor McGregor.
Should Pimblett ever get his hands on Topuria, he expects to extend his own winning streak and add him to his impressive list of submission victories.
“By kicking him on the feet or taking him down and submitting him,” Pimblett said of his strategy for Topuria. “I genuinely think I’d beat him, but congrats, Ilia Topuria. Well done, son.”
Review. The MMA Fighting crew give you the full rundown on the most important stories coming out of UFC 308.
No. 1. It’s a three-horse race atop the men’s Pound-for-Pound list, plus Cris Cyborg reminded everyone of her greatness.
Sure. Conor McGregor says “goodbye” to fighting.
Memes. Israel Adesanya responds to Shara Bullet’s callout with a few choice quotes.
Next. Is UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis the man to beat Khamzat Chimaev?
“Mighty Mouse” explains.
Behind Battle of the Giants.
Gilbert Burns plays matchmaker.
Jack Slack.
Free fights.
Severe MMA. Sean Sheehan and Graeme McDonnell recap UFC 308 and preview Cage Warriors 179 in Rome this Saturday.
MMA ON Point. Got 10 minutes? Check out this quick hit reaction to Topuria’s incredible knockout.
Almost time.
Happy anniversary.
Any suggestions?
Better luck this weekend.
Eau de Rocky.
Johnny Walker (21-9, 1 NC) vs. Bogdan Guskov (16-3); UFC 311, Jan. 18
Sergei Pavlovich (18-3) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-5); UFC Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1
I’m going to be honest, up until I wrote this I completely forgot that the Topuria-Pimblett feud was actually a thing. Seems like something from five years ago, if ever, given Topuria’s rise to prominence.
Doubt we ever actually see it, but stranger things have happened in this crazy business.
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