Paddy Pimblett isn’t just aiming for the top—he’s ready to stir the pot and make some waves along the way. His recent bold remarks about UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria have already sparked controversy, especially in Spain, Topuria’s home turf. But Pimblett doesn’t shy away from the challenge; in fact, he’s eager to take the fight right into enemy territory, even if it means stepping into the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid—a place he didn’t hold back from criticizing.
In an interview with eldoberdanMMA, Pimblett expressed his enthusiasm for facing Topuria anywhere, anytime. He didn’t mince words when talking about the Bernabéu, calling it a "sh*thole" and taunting Topuria by questioning his national identity, claiming he’s "really German" despite fighting under the Spanish flag. Pimblett’s exact words were, "I want to fight Ilia, whenever, wherever. I’d love to come to Bernabéu and punch your face in. Do it in Spain in front of your fake countrymen because you’re really German. I’d love to come and punch your face in in front of 90,000 people in the Bernabéu in enemy territory for me because the Bernabéu is a shithole."
As a passionate Liverpool FC fan, Pimblett clearly doesn’t mind ruffling feathers among Real Madrid supporters or Topuria’s fans. Their rivalry has been simmering for years, and after their tense face-off following Topuria’s lightweight title victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June, a showdown between the two seems inevitable. However, UFC President Dana White has yet to confirm when Topuria will defend his belt next.
Pimblett is confident that when they finally meet inside the octagon, the fight won’t drag on. He envisions multiple ways to finish Topuria, emphasizing his striking arsenal—kicks, knees, elbows—and his strategy to avoid a pure boxing match, which he respects Topuria for. Pimblett said, "Everyone thinks that on the feet it would be a one-sided fight. I can see myself knocking him out. Kicks and knees and elbows. I’m not going to do what Charles did and come out and have a boxing match with him, because I know he’s a very good boxer. I respect his hands, I respect him as a fighter, he’s very good. But once I get on top of him, he wouldn’t get back up, he wouldn’t be able to. I’d elbow him that many times that he looks like The Elephant Man."
He also pointed out a psychological edge he believes he holds over Topuria. "When I fight him, he’s never fought with emotion before," Pimblett explained. "He goes into every fight calm and calculated. With me, I’m already in his head. He’s not going to fight me like he fights everyone else. He’s going to try and take my head off and he’s going to get his head took off in the process."
While Pimblett is open to facing other top contenders like Justin Gaethje or Arman Tsarukyan, no official bouts have been arranged yet. This uncertainty only fuels his insistence on pushing for a fight with Topuria.
"I just want to fight anyone ranked above me, really," Pimblett said. "If it’s not Ilia, I want a No. 1 contender fight, but I obviously want Ilia. He’s got the belt. He’s who I want to fight. I want to fight for a world title. I want to be the UFC world champion, so saying I want anyone other than Ilia is just stupid. Before he won the belt, I thought I would have to have one more and I thought it would be a No. 1 contender fight with Justin, but then he said he didn’t want to fight me. So I just want to fight Ilia."
But here’s where it gets controversial: Pimblett’s harsh words about the Bernabéu and his challenge to Topuria’s nationality could alienate some fans and ignite heated debates. Is this just trash talk to hype a fight, or does it cross a line? And what do you think—does Pimblett’s confidence in finishing Topuria quickly hold water, or is he underestimating the champion’s skills? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below!
