Ilia Topuria challenges Paddy Pimblett and eyes future bout with Canelo Alvarez

Posted : 29 February 2024

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has made headlines by not only calling out Paddy Pimblett but also expressing his aspirations for a future boxing match against none other than Canelo Alvarez. This comes on the heels of Topuria's impressive victory in UFC 298, where he secured the 145-pound belt by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round.

The brewing rivalry between Topuria and Pimblett reached a new level after their heated confrontation ahead of UFC London, and Topuria is keeping the momentum going by addressing the ongoing feud. Despite initially mentioning a potential bout with Conor McGregor in the aftermath of his championship win, Topuria seems particularly keen on settling matters with Paddy Pimblett, indicating a willingness to engage in a showdown with the Liverpool-born fighter.

In a recent interview on 'El Partidazo de Cope,’ Topuria dismissed the idea of fighting McGregor due to perceived differences in skill level, asserting that Pimblett is the more viable opponent for him. The feud between Topuria and Pimblett escalated earlier when the two nearly came to blows during a confrontation in March 2022, with Pimblett even throwing a bottle of hand sanitizer at Topuria.

Apart from his aspirations within the octagon, Topuria also revealed a conversation with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who not only congratulated him but also gave the green light for a potential fight at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Topuria recently had the unique experience of walking out into the stadium to present his championship belt ahead of a Real Madrid match, and the prospect of bringing UFC to such a prestigious venue adds another layer to his ambitions.

While the dust settles from his recent victory and callouts, Topuria's next opponent remains uncertain. The potential for rematches with Volkanovski and fights involving Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, and Brian Ortega looms large in the ever-evolving landscape of the UFC featherweight division. The situation with McGregor is notably complex, as the former two-division champion has not fought at 145 pounds since 2015, complicating potential matchups. Additionally, former champion Max Holloway is slated to face Justin Gaethje for the BMF belt at UFC 300, and Brian Ortega has re-entered the mix after a triumphant return to the octagon. The coming months will undoubtedly bring clarity to Topuria's next steps as he navigates the competitive and dynamic world of UFC featherweight competition.

Ilia Topuria challenges Paddy Pimblett and eyes future bout with Canelo Alvarez

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics