Paddy Pimblett has escalated his criticism of Ilia Topuria, calling him “a fat featherweight” who does not belong at lightweight and claiming he would take Topuria’s punches “all day” and laugh in his face.
Pimblett made the comments on the MIGHTYcast.
He’s a featherweight. That’s why we have weight classes. We have weight classes for a reason and that’s something I’ve always said when people have said, ‘Oh, Ilia will knock you out.’ No. He’s a fat featherweight. He thinks he’s a lightweight. He’s not a lightweight, lad. I’m a lightweight. He’s a fat featherweight and I would take his punches all day and laugh in his face and punch him in the face and he’d know about it.
Pimblett previously said Topuria would never come back the same after his UFC Freedom 250 loss to Justin Gaethje and volunteered himself as Topuria’s first fight back. His latest comments move the needle from psychological analysis to a direct physical challenge based on size.
Arman Tsarukyan has already pushed back on the Pimblett vs. Topuria matchup idea, calling Pimblett the wrong opponent for Topuria at this stage. Pimblett faces Benoit Saint Denis in the UFC 329 co-main event on July 11.
