Ilia Topuria, the newly crowned lightweight champion, is navigating his rise in the UFC with caution as he looks to settle some unfinished business with British fighter Paddy Pimblett. Following his impressive first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, Topuria has garnered significant attention, marking his place as one of the most promising talents in mixed martial arts.
Topuria has expressed his ambition to become the first three-weight champion in UFC history, but the organization is urging him to focus on his current lightweight title before considering a move up to welterweight. In a recent podcast, he revealed that the UFC management has asked him to refrain from discussing a potential move up in weight class for the time being. “Like, ‘Don’t tell us after the fight that you want to move to the welterweight division. Make us a promise,’” he recounted.
His immediate goal is to settle a long-standing grudge match with Pimblett, who he has a contentious history with. Topuria emphasized his eagerness to face Pimblett, indicating that he would relish the opportunity to fight him. “That’s the fight I want,” he stated confidently, explaining that with Oliveira, he had a level of respect, but with Pimblett, the animosity is personal.
While Dana White and the UFC might have reservations about booking this fight, Topuria’s determination to establish his dominance within the lightweight division is clear. The potential of a high-stakes grudge match adds a thrilling narrative to his career trajectory and could attract significant attention from fans.
As Topuria navigates his path, the anticipation builds around what could be a monumental showdown, promising excitement for MMA enthusiasts. The hopes of witnessing a fierce clash, coupled with Topuria’s ambitions, could set the stage for a remarkable chapter in his career.