Ilia Topuria Laughs Off Pimblett Challenge: ‘Easiest Fight in the Division’

Ilia Topuria thinks Paddy Pimblett is the easiest fight in the lightweight division.

Topuria and ‘The Baddy’ have been feuding ever since a viral incident in 2022 when both athletes were scheduled to compete in London.

Pimblett infamously threw a bottle of hand sanitizer at ‘El Matador’ after being encountered by the newly minted 155-pound champ and his teammates. The two have been at each other’s throats ever since.

Things finally got physical between the two at UFC 317, moments after Topuria scored an epic first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira to win the vacant lightweight title. Pimblett entered the Octagon at the behest of Joe Rogan, prompting the two to exchange words before Topuria shoved the Liverpudlian.

Things are undeniably personal between Pimblett and Topuria, but despite the scouser’s perfect 7-0 record under the UFC banner, Topuria doesn’t see Pimblett posing much of a threat to his lightweight reign. In fact, ‘El Matador’ thinks Pimblett may very well be the easiest fight in the entire division.

“It’s one of the easiest fight that I could have in lightweight division,” Topuria told TMZ Sports. “I can do with him whatever I want. I’ll enjoy the whole process.”

Ilia Topuria may have to wait for Pimblett to bag one more win before getting a crack at ‘The Baddy’

While fans are ready to see Pimblett and Topuria finally collide on MMA’s biggest stage, Dana White doesn’t seem so keen on the idea. Following the promotion’s latest pay-per-view offering, the UFC CEO expressed displeasure over their brief exchange inside the Octagon.

That could be because the UFC has already booked Pimblett to face former interim champ Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title eliminator.

According to Dricus Du Plessis. Pimblett vs. Gaethje is scheduled to co-headline UFC 319 in August, the same night he’s expected to defend his middleweight championship against undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev.

Of course, no official announcements have been made by the promotion, so we’d advise taking DDP’s words with a grain of salt.