As the countdown to UFC 317 intensifies, Ilia Topuria finds himself in the crosshairs of a familiar foe. While he gears up for the biggest fight of his career against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight championship, Paddy Pimblett has reignited their long-standing rivalry with a sharp and public call-out.
Paddy Pimblett’s perfect timing
Fresh off his sensational win over Michael Chandler at UFC 314, Paddy Pimblett is riding high on momentum. Unbeaten in his UFC journey, Pimblett has solidified his spot as a top contender in the lightweight division. But instead of basking in his victory, he’s already setting his sights on what—or rather, who—comes next.
Pimblett’s message was loud and clear. In a recent Instagram post featuring a headkick photo from his bout against Chandler, he took a direct shot at Topuria with a fiery caption:
“Can’t wait to land one of these on el chorizo.”
The remark not only throws shade at Ilia Topuria but also hints that Paddy Pimblett is already plotting a future clash—potentially for the UFC title.
The history behind their rivalry
This isn’t the first time the two rising stars have traded jabs. Their animosity stretches back to 2022, when a heated altercation at a fighter hotel nearly escalated into a physical confrontation. Despite a brief moment of civility while cornering teammates at UFC 312, the tension has never truly dissipated.
Now, with Topuria on the brink of championship glory and Pimblett knocking on the title shot door, the timing couldn’t be more cinematic. Should Topuria triumph over Oliveira at UFC 317, the UFC may find it impossible to ignore the marketing gold of a Topuria vs. Pimblett showdown.
Ilia Topuria’s silence speaks volumes
Topuria, who hasn't fought since his devastating knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308, has yet to respond to Paddy Pimblett’s taunt. Focused on the task at hand, Ilia Topuria knows that Oliveira presents a massive hurdle. But should he emerge victorious, the noise around Pimblett’s challenge will be impossible to mute.
The road to UFC gold is never smooth, but for Topuria, it just became far more personal.