Ilia Topuria wants Paddy Pimblett for first UFC lightweight title defense
Ilia Topuria sets his sight on long-time enemy Paddy Pimblett.
LAS VEGAS – Ilia Topuria wants his first title defense of the UFC lightweight belt to feel much different than when he first claimed it.
Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) won the vacant UFC lightweight belt this past Saturday, viciously knocking out former champion Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 317, which took place at T-Mobile Arena. Despite the brutal nature of the finish, Topuria didn't exactly want to fight Oliveira (35-11 MMA, 23-11 UFC), which is why he aims for his next fight to be against Paddy Pimblett.
"Yes, that's the fight that I want because with Charles it was a little bit of a difficult situation because I really like the guy," Topuria said at the UFC 317 post-fight press conference. "He's a really great human being. You can't hate him. You always see him surrounded by his family and friends and teammates. He's an amazing human being, but in the end, I was like, 'This is competition. I have to do my job and that's it.' But with Paddy, I'm really going to enjoy kicking his ass."
Topuria and Pimblett have had a long-standing beef. Topuria, of Georgian descent, took personally some comments Pimblett made online, making fun of Georgians for losing the Russo-Georgian war. Although Pimblett later apologized for the comments, the feud with Topuria continued.
"La Leyenda" is on one of the best runs ever seen in MMA. He's coming off back-to-back knockout wins over Oliveira, Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski – all in championship fights. Topuria is well aware of the type of legacy he's building.
"It's amazing, and it's difficult to put into words," Topuria said. "Beating guys like Volk, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, not any people in the world can say that."
As far as a timeline for his return, Topuria is down to fight one more time this 2025.
"I could be ready by the need of the year if they want me," Topuria said. "If I get the call from the UFC, and they want me to get back in the octagon by the end of the year, I'll be ready."
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