Unbeaten featherweight kingpin, Ilia Topuria has issued a stark warning to surging rival, Paddy Pimblett — claiming he’ll run by means of the Liverpool grappler, who provided him an opportunity to make his light-weight debut towards him subsequent.
Topuria, the present undisputed featherweight titleholder, has lengthy been linked with a transfer to 155lbs — particularly in a title tremendous combat towards pound-for-pound primary, Islam Makhachev as quickly as later this summer time.
Nonetheless, earlier this night, long-time rival, Pimblett — who was continually linked with a grudge combat towards Topuria previous to the latter’s title ascension at featherweight, provided him a path to the light-weight restrict in his subsequent Octagon stroll.
Ilia Topuria points dramatic warning to Paddy Pimblett
And responding to the ex-Cage Warriors featherweight titleholder’s feedback, Topuria warned the controversial grappler he would take his “head off” in the event that they ever cross paths quickly.
“He (Paddy Pimblett) said something ‘Now I understand why the Russians put the bombs in Georgia,’” Ilia Topuria instructed the FULL SEND podcast throughout a current interview.
“Make sure we don’t find each other anywhere because I’m gonna take your f***ing head off,” Ilia Topuria continued, whereas warning Paddy Pimblett.
Most not too long ago lodging his first title protection at UFC 308 again in October of final yr, Georgian-Spaniard finisher, Topuria turned in a surprising third spherical knockout win over former champion and present symbolic BMF champion, Max Holloway — changing into the primary fighter in combined martial arts to complete the Hawaiian favourite with strikes.
As for Pimblett, the quantity twelve ranked challenger has been sidelined since final summer time, delivering a Submission of the 12 months contender with a dominant opening spherical triangle choke submission over perennial light-weight contender, King Inexperienced.
