Morning report: Paddy Pimblett still believes he can beat Ilia Topuria

Paddy Pimblett saw Ilia Topuria make history and he still wants a piece of the UFC featherweight champion.

Not only did Topuria successfully defend his title in Saturday’s UFC 308 main event, he also became the first fighter ever to defeat Max Holloway by knockout. It’s a performance that propelled Topuria to the top of the Fighter of the Year and pound-for-pound conversation as he improved to 16-0 with no end to his run in sight.

Unless you’re Pimblett, the chatty lightweight who has a long-running feud with “El Matador.” Pimblett posted a reaction video on his YouTube channel in which he referred to Topuria by a different nickname while expressing confidence that he could hand the 27-year-old champion his first defeat.

“Hand sanitizer boy with a win,” Pimblett said. “Heavy. Well done, Ilia. Give you your due, boy, 16-0, “Hand Sanitizer Boy.” I can’t wait for him to move back up to lightweight. I still think I would beat him . I really do. I still think I would beat him whether he just beat Max Holloway.”

Although Topuria has only fought twice in 2024, he has now defeated Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, two of the three best fighters to ever compete at 145 pounds. It’s unlikely he’ll see Topuria in the cage any time soon, as the champion expects a rematch with Volkanovski, a top contender fight between Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling at UFC 309 may produce Topuria’s next challenger, and there’s also the possibility of Topuria having one Fight with Islam Makhachev or Conor McGregor.

If Pimblett ever gets his hands on Topuria, he expects to extend his own winning streak and add him to his impressive list of submission victories.

“By stepping on his toes or knocking him down and subduing him,” Pimblett said of his strategy for Topuria. “I really think I would beat him, but congratulations, Ilia Topuria. Well done, son.”

Review. The MMA Fighting team brings you a complete breakdown of the biggest stories from UFC 308.

#1. It’s a three-horse race at the top of the men’s pound-for-pound list, and Cris Cyborg reminded everyone of her greatness.

Secure. Conor McGregor says goodbye to the fight.

Memes. Israel Adesanya responds to Shara Bullet’s call with some selected quotes.

Next. Is UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis the man to beat Khamzat Chimaev?

“Mighty Mouse” explains.

Behind Battle of the Giants.

Gilbert Burns plays the matchmaker.

Jack Slack.

Free battles.

Heavy MMA. Sean Sheehan and Graeme McDonnell recap UFC 308 and preview Cage Warriors 179 this Saturday in Rome.

MMA ON period. Do you have 10 minutes? Check out this quick hit reaction to Topuria’s incredible knockout.

Almost time.

Happy anniversary.

Any suggestions?

Good luck this weekend.

Eau de Rocky.

Johnny Walker (21-9, 1 NC) vs. Bogdan Guskov (16-3); UFC 311, January 18th

Sergei Pavlovich (18-3) vs. Jairzinho Rosenstruik (15-5); UFC Saudi Arabia, February 1st

I have to be honest, until I wrote this I completely forgot that the Topuria-Pimblett feud actually existed. Considering Topuria’s rise to fame, if anything, it seems like something from five years ago.

We doubt we’ll ever actually see it, but stranger things have happened in this crazy business.

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