Morning Report: Paddy Pimblett nonetheless thinks he can beat Ilia Topuria

Paddy Pimblett noticed Ilia Topuria make historical past, and he nonetheless desires a chunk of the UFC featherweight champion.

Topuria not solely efficiently defended his title in Saturday’s UFC 308 important occasion, he grew to become the primary fighter ever to defeat Max Holloway by knockout. It’s a feat that has vaulted Topuria to the entrance of the Fighter of the Yr and Pound-for-Pound dialog as he improved to 16-0 with no finish to his run in sight.

That’s until you’re Pimblett, the talkative light-weight that has had a longstanding feud with “El Matador.” Pimblett posted a response video to his YouTube by which he referred to Topuria by a distinct nickname whereas additionally expressing confidence that he may hand the 27-year-old champion his first loss.

“Hand sanitizer boy with the win,” Pimblett mentioned. “Heavy. Properly accomplished, Ilia. Offer you your due, lad, 16-0, ‘Hand Sanitizer Boy.’ Can’t look forward to him to come back again as much as light-weight. Nonetheless assume I’d beat him. I actually do. I nonetheless assume I’d beat him, whether or not he’s simply beat Max Holloway or not.”

Although Topuria has fought simply twice in 2024, he has now knocked out Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, two of the three finest fighters to ever compete at 145 kilos. It’s unlikely he sees Topuria within the cage anytime quickly with the champion welcoming a rematch with Volkanovski, a high contender bout between Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling at UFC 309 doubtlessly producing Topuria’s subsequent challenger, plus the skin risk that Topuria lands a struggle with Islam Makhachev or Conor McGregor.

Ought to Pimblett ever get his fingers on Topuria, he expects to increase his personal profitable streak and add him to his spectacular checklist of submission victories.

“By kicking him on the ft or taking him down and submitting him,” Pimblett mentioned of his technique for Topuria. “I genuinely assume I’d beat him, however congrats, Ilia Topuria. Properly accomplished, son.”

Evaluate. The MMA Combating crew provide the full rundown on an important tales popping out of UFC 308.

No. 1. It’s a three-horse race atop the boys’s Pound-for-Pound checklist, plus Cris Cyborg reminded everybody of her greatness.

Certain. Conor McGregor says “goodbye” to combating.

Memes. Israel Adesanya responds to Shara Bullet’s callout with a number of selection quotes.

Subsequent. Is UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis the person to beat Khamzat Chimaev?

“Mighty Mouse” explains.

Behind Battle of the Giants.

Gilbert Burns performs matchmaker.

Jack Slack.

Free fights.

Extreme MMA. Sean Sheehan and Graeme McDonnell recap UFC 308 and preview Cage Warriors 179 in Rome this Saturday.

MMA ON Level. Obtained 10 minutes? Try this fast hit response to Topuria’s unbelievable knockout.

Nearly time.

Pleased anniversary.

Any options?

Higher luck this weekend.

Eau de Rocky.

Johnny Walker (21-9, 1 NC) vs. Bogdan Guskov (16-3); UFC 311, Jan. 18

Sergei Pavlovich (18-3) vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-5); UFC Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1

I’m going to be sincere, up till I wrote this I fully forgot that the Topuria-Pimblett feud was truly a factor. Looks like one thing from 5 years in the past, if ever, given Topuria’s rise to prominence.

Doubt we ever truly see it, however stranger issues have occurred on this loopy enterprise.

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