PADDY PIMBLETT has hinted that a blockbuster fight with Ilia Topuria is in the works.
A grudge match between the pair has been in the pipeline for over THREE YEARS.
The pair almost came to blows at the UFC London fighter hotel in March 2022 after Topuria confronted the submission specialist over comments he made about his fellow Georgians.
Lightweight king Topuria got to grips with the Liverpudlian after his first-round KO of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June.
After a heated face-off and an exchange of words with the former Cage Warriors featherweight champ, Topuria SHOVED ‘The Baddy’ in the chest.
A melee, however, didn’t ensue as security quickly intervened.
ASP AND AWE
Aspinall brutalises pads in UFC 321 workout ahead of crunch clash with Gane
MMA fans around the world have been calling for the UFC to book the pair’s long-overdue showdown since that night.
And Pimblett has hinted the UFC brass are indeed working on the fight by claiming Topuria hasn’t signed the contract.
He told Marca: “Now it’s coming to actually signing the fight on the dotted line he’s not doing it.
“Step up Ilia, stop being a chorizo and be a man.
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN
How to watch UFC 321
The UFC makes its annual visit to Abu Dhabi on October 25 for yet another blockbuster pay-per-view card.
UFC 321 will take place at the state-of-the-art Etihad Arena, which has been the promotion’s home in the UAE since January 2021.
Topping the bill is the eagerly anticipated Octagon return of heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who has been on the sidelines for the last 14 MONTHS.
The 32-year-old will make his first defence of the 265lbs title, which he was awarded following Jon Jones’ retirement, against long-time rival Ciryl Gane.
UFC gold will also be on the line in the co-main event of the evening, which will see Brazilians Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba vie for the vacant strawweight title.
UFC 321 is jam-packed with entertaining fights from top to bottom.
And MMA fans in the UK and Ireland can watch all the action from the Etihad LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office.
The UFC’s 11th pay-per-view card of the year will be available to purchase for a mere £19.99.
UFC 321 will also be available to buy on Discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video, Virgin Media TV and Sky Sports.
And fight fans don’t need to subscribe to TNT Sports to buy the star-studded event.
Watch UFC 321: Aspinall v Gane exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 7pm on Saturday, 25th October.
For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice
“No one would know Ilia Topuria if it wasn’t for me, he made himself famous off the back of my name.
“He wouldn’t even be a champ now if it wasn’t for him jumping on my coattails, and now he thinks he’s too good to fight me?
“He’s not even from Madrid, he’s not even from Spain…
“He’s fake. He’s so fake, like half of his followers on Instagram…
“He’s just a [Conor] McGregor copycat and I’m getting sick of him.
“He’s a German, he’s not even Spanish or Georgian, he was born in Germany, so he’s a German.”
Fan favourite Pimblett hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since his demolition of Michael Chandler in April.
Topuria, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines since brutally claiming the 155lbs crown against Oliveira.
And the Georgian-born Spaniard is champing at the bit to settle the score with the Brit once and for all.
He said: “With Paddy, I really would enjoy punching him in the face.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
TEXT CLAIMS
Glasgow City Council chief resigns immediately over discovery of text messages
CLOSING TIME
High street shoe chain shuts 39 stores as sales drop
“I know I can do with him whatever I want to do—even tell me, ‘God, tell me what you want me to do with you.’
“I’m going to do whatever I want to do. I don’t want to use bad words, but yeah, that’s the guy I want to fight next!”
