Tensions were at an all-time high as Paddy Pimblett crossed paths with bitter rival and reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
‘The Baddy’ has been at odds with ‘El Matador’ since he made disparaging comments about Georgians on social media. That led to the infamous hand disinfection incident between the two in 2022, and they have been at each other’s throats ever since.
With both fighters in attendance for the UFC’s big debut in Qatar on Saturday, it was only a matter of time before the two would bump into each other.
Luckily, there was no physical altercation this time, unlike their viral confrontation at UFC 317.
Moments after Topuria scored a highlight-reel knockout against Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant lightweight crown, Pimblett stepped into the Octagon and set the stage for a highly anticipated clash between the two. During the staredown, the Liverpool opponent pushed his opponent away, adding even more fuel to the already blazing fire.
So far, Topuria has not booked his first 155-pound title defense. In all likelihood, his first challenger will be top prospect Arman Tsarukyan, assuming the Armenian can get past the standout Dan Hooker in the UFC Qatar headliner.
However, the UFC could choose to give Pimblett the nod, striking while the iron is hot, rather than giving the much more deserving but much less interesting Tsarukyan the opportunity he deserves.
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