Paddy Pimblett has reacted to the news over UFC featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, moving up to lightweight in 2025.
Paddy Pimblett Reacts To Ilia Topuria Move Up To Lightweight
The British UFC star has been involved in a long-standing rivalry with the featherweight champion which began in a hotel during UFC London fight week in 2022.
This heated relationship continued months later as the duo needed to be separated by security at UFC 282’s pre-fight press conference.
A fight between the two seemed unlikely given Pimblett being a 155 pound fighter and Topuria dominating at 145 pounds – but this could be about to change.
The Spanish/Georgian martial artist has confirmed that he will be moving up to lightweight in 2025 to take on a new challenge in the UFC.
El Matador confirmed that his recent knockout victory over Max Holloway was his last at featherweight and spoke on his plans at lightweight.
Topuria said: “We need to talk about it and take a look at my future, but for me, it’s very clear how I want to do it.
“I’d like to move up to the next weight class, and since Islam Makhachev is the champion fighting in January, and he won’t be ready for April or May, I’d like to fight against the No. 1 contender right now, who’s Charles Oliveira.”
The featherweight king also revealed that he plans on retiring at 30, which gives the 27-year-old three more years to cement his status as one of the best UFC fighters in history.
Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett was quick to comment on the news over Topuria’s move up to lightweight, as the Liverpool-born fighter took to Instagram to say: “New blood at 155?”
Pimblett has not got a fight lined-up at the moment, however, the UFC returns to the UK in March and the Scouse fighter has been linked with a bout against Benoit Saint-Denis.
