UFC star Paddy Pimblett quickly took notice of Ilia Topuria’s planned transition to the lightweight division following his recent featherweight title defense. The rivalry between these two fighters has been intense, rooted in a physical altercation at a fighter hotel ahead of UFC London in 2022. This animosity escalated just months later, nearly leading to another confrontation at the UFC 282 pre-fight press conference before security intervened.
The tension between Pimblett and Topuria has simmered recently, especially with Topuria’s ascent to superstardom in the featherweight category. While Pimblett initially competed in the featherweight division, he has since made his mark in the lightweight rankings, highlighted by a quick finish against King Green at UFC 304. Originally, it seemed like a fight between them would be unlikely due to their separation in weight classes, but that changed when Topuria announced a permanent shift up in weight and potential vacating of the featherweight title.
Shortly after Topuria’s announcement regarding his move to lightweight during a recent interview, Pimblett appeared to respond on Instagram with a cheeky message: “New blood at 155?” As of now, Pimblett does not have an opponent lined up for his next fight in the Octagon. Speculation has linked him to a possible matchup against Benoit Saint-Denis, but no official announcement has been made regarding his return to the cage.
Topuria is aiming for a fight against former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira for his anticipated lightweight debut next year. However, his plans may shift if the UFC requires him to face Alexander Volkanovski or another top featherweight before officially leaving the division. Recently, Topuria achieved a notable victory by knocking out BMF titleholder and former champion Max Holloway at UFC 308, solidifying his stance in the featherweight division, where he remains undefeated.
The UFC has yet to respond to Topuria’s hint about the lightweight division, as they are currently engaged in negotiations for a heavyweight matchup between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Historically, Dana White and UFC matchmakers have been reluctant to allow champions to change weight classes after just one title defense, leading to uncertain prospects for Topuria’s future moves.
If Topuria does make the jump to lightweight, a potential clash with current champion Islam Makhachev might loom on the horizon. The two fighters have exchanged verbal jabs on social media for months, and Makhachev is set to fight Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 in January. Topuria’s anticipated move into the lightweight division presents an exciting narrative as UFC 311 approaches, particularly if he is granted approval to vacate the featherweight title.
Pimblett, still unbeaten in his UFC career, recently proclaimed that he could defeat Topuria in the Octagon. Following his submission victory over Green, he confidently stated that he would handle Topuria similarly if the opportunity to fight arose. As Pimblett edges closer to a spot in the lightweight Top 10, Topuria’s entry into the division could ignite their rivalry, potentially culminating in a matchup within the next couple of years.
The possibility of Pimblett and Topuria finally settling their score in the Octagon could emerge as they navigate their respective paths in the UFC. The built-up animosity between the two might reach a boiling point, setting the stage for an explosive showdown in 2025.
Source link
