The simmering feud between UFC stars Ilia topuria and Paddy <a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/06/29/jake-paul-getting-roasted-after-fight-versus-julio-cesar-chavez-jr/” title=”Jake Paul Roasted for Chavez Jr. Win: Critics Question Legitimacy”>pimblett just erupted. Following Topuria’s stunning lightweight title win at UFC 317, the long-standing rivalry boiled over. Minutes after securing undisputed gold, Topuria was face-to-face with Pimblett, sparking chaos. Their animosity isn’t new. It’s a deep-seated hatred years in the making. The dramatic confrontation in Las Vegas was merely the latest chapter in a story of disrespect and bad blood. This intense rivalry began long before any title was on the line.
The Spark: A Controversial Social Media Post
The bitter feelings between Topuria and Pimblett trace back to a single social media moment. In April 2021, Pimblett posted a tweet targeting Georgian fighters. The post referenced the tragic 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia. It contained language deeply offensive to Georgians. Pimblett’s tweet read, “Lad how stupid are these Georgians man [LAUGHS]… No wonder the Russians terrorise their lives [LAUGHS].”
For Ilia Topuria, who is of Georgian descent, this was unforgivable. He knew people who lost their lives in that conflict. The tweet wasn’t just banter; it was a painful jab at a national tragedy. This single, now-deleted tweet became the definitive epicenter of Topuria’s intense hatred for Pimblett. It transcended typical fight promotion. It was deeply personal for Topuria.
From Online Insults to Physical Confrontation
Less than a year after the inflammatory tweet, the rivalry turned physical. Topuria and Pimblett found themselves sharing a card. It was a UFC Fight Night event in London in March 2022. Headlined by Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov, the event brought the two adversaries into close proximity.
The inevitable confrontation happened in the fighter hotel. Topuria sought out Pimblett to address the social media insult. Words were exchanged. Tensions rapidly escalated beyond verbal sparring. The situation quickly devolved into a physical altercation. Punches were thrown. Objects, including hand sanitizer bottles, reportedly flew through the air.
Despite the pre-fight chaos, both men competed later that week. Topuria made his lightweight debut on that card. He secured a come-from-behind knockout victory over Jai Herbert. Pimblett also won his fight. Their paths continued to cross inside the UFC bubble.
Continued Clashes and the Road to UFC 317
The London hotel brawl wasn’t the end of their confrontations. Pimblett and Topuria shared a card again at UFC 282. Ahead of that event, they nearly came to blows during the pre-fight press conference. The bad blood remained very real.
They continued trading insults online. The verbal jabs kept the feud simmering. There was a rare instance of apparent cordiality at UFC 312 earlier in 2024. However, this proved to be a temporary truce. The deep-seated animosity was clearly still present. All signs pointed towards a potential future clash.
The stage for a major showdown was set at UFC 317. Ilia Topuria entered the event with significant momentum. He had previously held the featherweight title. He reportedly vacated that belt earlier in the year. UFC 317 marked his return to lightweight. This time, he was challenging for the vacant 155lb strap.
UFC 317: Title Glory and a Boiling Rivalry
Ilia Topuria’s performance at UFC 317 in Las Vegas was spectacular. He faced former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. The fight ended swiftly in the first round. Topuria landed a devastating right hand. Oliveira collapsed in the Octagon. Referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight immediately. Topuria secured the lightweight title.
This victory cemented Topuria as a rare two-division UFC champion. He had previously knocked out Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight belt. He then defended it against Max Holloway, also via knockout. His rapid ascent and knockout predictions have been remarkable. Topuria continues to prove his self-belief is well-founded.
Moments after celebrating his historic win, Topuria’s attention turned. Paddy Pimblett was cageside. UFC announcer Joe Rogan called Pimblett into the Octagon. The highly anticipated confrontation was underway. Pimblett offered conditional respect for the knockout. However, he quickly claimed Topuria couldn’t knock him out.
Topuria was ready with his own challenge. He declared he would knock Pimblett out. He even suggested it might happen “even before the fight.” The verbal exchange grew heated. Topuria then delivered a physical shove. The long-standing rivalry exploded into public view once more.
The Question: Will Topuria vs. Pimblett Happen Next?
The dramatic post-fight scene at UFC 317 seemed designed to set up the fight. Paddy Pimblett compared the intensity to the famous Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor feud. Topuria stated that Pimblett would be his “ideal” next opponent. This is due to their personal animosity.
However, the path to this fight is complicated. UFC CEO Dana White was not pleased with Pimblett entering the Octagon. He called it a “bad call.” White was non-committal about the matchup immediately after the event. He seemed to lean away from booking the fight next. This is despite the significant fan interest.
With Ilia Topuria now the lightweight champion, potential contenders are lining up. While Pimblett (ranked No. 8) is a possibility, other fighters are also in the picture. The vacated belt means Topuria’s first defense could be against the #1 ranked contender.
Other Contenders: The Threat of Arman Tsarukyan
Many experts view #1 ranked Arman Tsarukyan as a major threat. Islam Makhachev’s longtime coach, Javier Mendez, recently weighed in. Mendez, a renowned figure in MMA coaching, sees Tsarukyan as Topuria’s toughest test. He believes Tsarukyan’s grappling-heavy style poses unique problems. Mendez predicts Tsarukyan would aim for a “grappling war.” He thinks Topuria’s ability to survive a continuous ground attack would be the key challenge.
Tsarukyan holds a strong UFC record since his debut loss to Makhachev. He has recent impressive wins over Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush. Tsarukyan was present at UFC 317 as the backup fighter. He successfully made weight. Dana White saw this as a step towards a title shot. Topuria himself acknowledged Tsarukyan after his win. He referenced Tsarukyan’s withdrawal from a planned fight with Makhachev. He challenged him to fight if ready.
While Tsarukyan is the #1 contender, Dana White indicated he might need another win. Another potential opponent is #3 ranked Justin Gaethje. Gaethje made comments before UFC 317 about only fighting the winner. White found these comments “pretty whacky.” He suggested Gaethje consider retirement.
Ultimately, the decision rests with the UFC. While the personal rivalry with Pimblett is undeniable and generates huge interest, the logical next step might be the #1 contender. However, the drama at UFC 317 has reignited the Pimblett narrative significantly.
Analyzing the Significance of the Feud
The Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett feud is more than just standard fight promotion. It’s fueled by genuine animosity. The origin point, linked to a national tragedy, gives it depth. The physical hotel confrontation added a layer of reality. This history creates a compelling narrative. It resonates deeply with fans.
Topuria is on a dominant run. He has proven to be a knockout artist. Pimblett remains undefeated in the UFC. He is a popular, rising star. A fight between them would draw massive attention. It would be a collision of styles and personalities. More importantly, it would be the culmination of years of bad blood. It’s a rivalry the UFC can market heavily.
Whether it’s Pimblett, Tsarukyan, or another contender, Ilia Topuria’s first lightweight title defense will be a major event. But the shadow of the Pimblett rivalry looms large. The events at UFC 317 ensure that their paths are likely to cross inside the Octagon eventually. The anticipation for that moment is now higher than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett rivalry?
The intense feud between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett began with a controversial tweet. In April 2021, Pimblett posted insensitive comments about Georgians. He referenced the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia. This deeply offended Topuria, who has personal connections to victims of the conflict. The tweet created a significant personal animosity.
When did Topuria and Pimblett have a physical altercation?
The rivalry escalated physically in March 2022. Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett were on the same UFC Fight Night card in London. Topuria confronted Pimblett in the fighter hotel. This led to a brawl where punches were thrown and objects were reportedly exchanged. This incident solidified their mutual dislike beyond online interactions.
Is Ilia Topuria fighting Paddy Pimblett next after UFC 317?
While there is high anticipation for a fight between Topuria and Pimblett following their dramatic confrontation at UFC 317, it is not confirmed as the next bout. Ilia Topuria is now the lightweight champion. UFC CEO Dana White expressed disapproval of Pimblett’s post-fight actions. White seems hesitant to book the fight immediately. The #1 ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan, is also a strong candidate for Topuria’s first lightweight title defense.
