Paddy Pimblett vs. Ilia Topuria? UFC Could Be Looking at Its Next McGregor-Khabib-Level Grudge Match
The UFC might just be sitting on a goldmine with Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett and Ilia Topuria. After Topuria brutally knocked out Charles Oliveira in the UFC 317 main event to snag the lightweight title, the drama didn’t end with the final bell. Nope—enter Pimblett, stage left, with all the smoke and none of the chill.
Moments after Topuria had his hand raised in victory, Pimblett jumped into the Octagon like a man on a mission. The staredown that followed was nothing short of icy. Topuria wasn’t feeling the theatrics and gave “The Baddy” a hard shove—sending the already electric crowd into overdrive. That shove may have said more than words ever could: the beef between these two is no promo stunt.
But UFC president Dana White? He didn’t exactly love it. During the post-fight presser, Dana made it clear he hadn’t signed off on that faceoff and refused to commit to Pimblett getting the next title shot. Still, Topuria seems hell-bent on settling some long-standing business with Paddy. According to him, this feud has been simmering for years—tracing all the way back to a heated exchange during a UFC Fight Week in London.
🔥 Why This Fight Is Bigger Than Belts
Make no mistake—this isn’t just about championship gold. For Paddy Pimblett, it’s personal. Dead serious. He’s not just chasing the belt; he’s chasing revenge. And he believes this clash could rival some of the biggest rivalries in UFC history. We're talking Conor vs. Khabib levels of hate here.
"You don’t even need to sell this fight," Pimblett said during ESPN’s UFC 317 post-fight coverage. "It sells itself. Two people who genuinely dislike each other. You don’t see that often. We haven’t had that since McGregor and Khabib—two dudes who legit hate each other. And I hate him. I wouldn’t even want to finish him quick. I’d want to beat him down for four whole rounds, then finish him in the last minute after smashing him with 700 elbows. I want to disfigure him."
Let that sink in. This isn’t just your average grudge match. Pimblett wants Topuria to suffer. In a sport where psychological warfare plays almost as big a role as physical performance, this level of animosity could drive PPV numbers through the roof.
🎯 Pimblett Loves Being the Underdog
Paddy knows he’s not the favorite heading into this potential fight—and he loves every second of it. He’s heard the chatter. Fans and pundits alike are already counting him out.
"I’m more motivated when I’m the underdog," Pimblett said. "Especially when the whole world thinks I’ll lose. Nine out of 10 people probably think he’s going to knock me out. But I love proving people wrong. It’s one of my favorite things to do. There’s just this warm, fuzzy feeling I get when I make people eat their own words."
For a guy who’s built his brand around brashness and charisma, that chip on his shoulder might be the edge he needs. Pimblett thrives in hostile territory. Give him a booing crowd, an opponent who thinks he’s better, and critics on every corner—and that’s when “The Baddy” turns into an absolute menace.
👊 A Clash of Styles and Personas
From a stylistic standpoint, this potential showdown is fascinating. Topuria, now a perfect 17-0 in MMA (9-0 in the UFC), is a lethal striker with surgical precision and serious knockout power. Pimblett, sitting at 23-3 (7-0 UFC), brings a wild, chaotic energy—blending unorthodox movement, submission threats, and unpredictable flurries that can throw anyone off their game.
But what really makes this matchup nuclear? Their personalities. Topuria is cold, calculated, and intense. Pimblett is loud, brash, and borderline reckless. Together, they’re the perfect storm. The UFC marketing team wouldn't have to lift a finger—these two are selling the fight on their own, every time they speak.
🚨 Topuria’s Side of the Story
While Pimblett is doing most of the talking publicly, Topuria hasn’t been silent. According to him, the grudge goes back years to a UFC event in London where he felt disrespected by Paddy. Since then, the bad blood has only gotten thicker.
After claiming the lightweight title, Topuria made it crystal clear in interviews that this isn't just another title defense—he wants to shut Pimblett up once and for all. He sees Paddy as an imposter, a showman who hasn’t earned his spot.
There’s pride on the line. And when ego meets opportunity in the UFC, the results are usually explosive.
🎥 UFC 317 Was Just the Trailer
Saturday night was supposed to be all about Topuria’s crowning moment. But thanks to Pimblett’s well-timed entrance, the story quickly turned into a prelude to what could be the UFC’s next blockbuster. The staredown, the shove, the tension—you couldn’t script it better.
And Pimblett isn’t backing down.
"I can’t be booked with anyone else now. It’s as simple as that. I am fighting him next, and I’m going to take his little head off for him."
That kind of talk isn’t just bravado. It’s a declaration. Pimblett believes he’s the only logical next step for Topuria—and honestly, it’s hard to argue. Whether Dana White likes it or not, the fans want this fight.
💰 All Signs Point to a PPV Monster
In a landscape where super fights and crossover events dominate headlines, Pimblett vs. Topuria offers a rare throwback to what made fans fall in love with MMA in the first place: real rivalry, real violence, and real stakes.
And when two undefeated UFC records are on the line? That’s the cherry on top.
If UFC wants a guaranteed sell-out, a viral media run, and a potential Fight of the Year contender, this is it. It’s raw, it’s hostile, and it’s tailor-made for prime time.
📌 TL;DR - Why This Fight Has to Happen:
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🔥 Legitimate beef stretching back years
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🧨 Heated post-fight staredown and shove at UFC 317
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💥 Style clash between a brawler and a sniper
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🤯 Could be the biggest UFC rivalry since McGregor-Khabib
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🧠 Pimblett thrives as the underdog with something to prove
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💸 Guaranteed fan interest and monster PPV potential
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