British fighter Paddy Pimblett has made his feelings clear when it comes to the upcoming UFC lightweight contest between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in late June.
Liverpool-born Pimblett beat Michael Chandler at UFC 314 to record his ninth successive victory, and now he’s eyeing up a clash with Georgian/Spanish fighter Topuria, but apparently expects his next clash to be with Justin Gaethje.
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Pimblett and Topuria have a ‘history’ and it’s therefore no big surprise that he’d be angling for a chance at the fighter, the 30-year-old commenting.
"I'm hoping to fight in Abu Dhabi in October. I think that's when I'm going to be back in the cage,"
"I was thinking Ilia might call me out if he wins [against Oliveira]. I'd love to beat him if he gets the belt.
"I'd love to fight him anyway, but he's booked, so I think it's more than likely Justin Gaethje," Pimbett added.
Pimblett and Topuria clashed at a hotel in 2022, with Topuria commenting after the altercation, which saw objects thrown.
“He was very disrespectful to me, to my country, and all my people; he was just behaving like an idiot.”
Chandler, who couldn’t handle Pimblett when the pair met in April, also offered his thoughts on the Topuria vs Oliveira encounter.
"It's tough. You don't bet against freaking Charles Oliveira because he's so dang good everywhere, and he's a really hard guy to beat,"
"With that being said, Ilia Topuria's got some crazy power in his hands, and crazy accurate strikes. It's going to be very interesting to see how that fight goes. You've got to think that in the striking department leans towards Ilia, but Charles is tough everywhere. Obviously fighting him twice, I know." Chandler concluded.
Indeed, Chandler faced off with Oliveira in May 2021 and again three years later. The Brazilian took the first contest by TKO and the second by unanimous decision. On those losses to Oliveira and Pimblett, the 39-year-old American stated.
"Obviously, if you look at the timing, I should have had a win against Oliveira. I messed that up. I should have had a win against Paddy. I messed that up. I've had these great opportunities, and they've just slipped through my fingertips. So if I had beaten Charles, I'd be fighting Ilia for the title right now. But this is the way the sport goes."
The clash between Topuria and Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title is going to be an explosive one, and given that Topuria has a 16-0 record, one that he is the favorite in, however, his experienced opponent has what it takes to spring a surprise and end any unbeaten record.