Paddy Pimblett Targets Ilia Topuria, Blasts Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker. Paddy Pimblett has once again put himself at the centre of the UFC lightweight conversation, this time with a mixture of ambition and verbal firepower.
Fresh off his high-profile win over Michael Chandler at UFC 314, Pimblett says he’s ready for a shot at Ilia Topuria’s title and he’s not shy about calling out those he believes don’t deserve the opportunity ahead of him.
Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett was in Las Vegas recently, not to fight, but to back his teammate Nathan Fletcher at UFC Vegas 108. Unfortunately for Fletcher, the night didn’t go his way, as he was stopped in the first round by Rinya Nakamura. Before flying back home, Pimblett took a moment to share the latest on a possible showdown with Ilia Topuria, a fight that’s been brewing ever since their tense face-off following Topuria’s knockout victory over Charles Oliveira to claim the lightweight crown at UFC 317.
“All I kept being asked [while I was in Las Vegas] was ‘Who are you fighting? When are you fighting Ilia?,’” Pimblett said on his YouTube channel.
“I have no idea. Hopefully, it is going to be me vs. the chorizo next, and I think that’s what all the Americans want. “Because every American I’ve bumped into keeps saying, ‘When are you going to smash that sausage’s head in?’ I’m hoping that that gets sorted.”
While Pimblett’s eyes are fixed on Topuria, his words were reservedly less friendly for fellow lightweight contenders Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker. Tsarukyan, widely regarded as one of the division’s most dangerous rising stars, came under fire from Pimblett, who labelled him a “spoiled rich baby” and accused him of quitting during a difficult weight cut. Hooker, meanwhile, was dismissed entirely after reportedly showing no interest in facing the outspoken Brit. “Dan Hooker… now he can eat sh*t,” Pimblett declared bluntly.
“But I understand that I’m ranked No. 9, or something, so other people probably are more deserving but posh boy definitely isn’t,” Pimblett said. “Little rich boy Arman showing how desperate he is, offering him a million pounds to fight him. Spoiled rich baby trying to pay their way out of things, that’s why he quit when he was making weight in a bath like a little bitch. “Arman’s irrelevant, no one cares about him.”
Gaethje also recently said he wouldn’t be interested in fighting Pimblett, especially since he could get the chance to fight Topuria for the belt. Pimblett would certainly be down to face Gaethje, and addressed “The Highlight,” as well
“As I always say, I have nothing but respect for Justin, but I keep seeing in interviews him saying he doesn’t want to fight me,” Pimblett explained. “I think the only fight to make is me and Ilia. “[I’ve] seen Dan Hooker talking shit the other day, as well. I used to like Dan Hooker. Now he can eat shit.”
For now, Pimblett remains undeterred, using both his in-cage performances and his sharp tongue to keep himself in the headlines. Whether it’s Topuria, Tsarukyan, or another high-ranked opponent, “The Baddy” seems determined to talk and fight his way into the sport’s biggest stage.
