"I Hate Him!" " – Ilia Topuria OFFICIALLY Declares War On Paddy Pimblett!"

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As Ilia Topuria prepares for the biggest fight of his career—his UFC lightweight title bout against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317—the fiery Georgian-Spanish star has already set his sights on a controversial next opponent: Paddy Pimblett. In a recent statement, Topuria declared bluntly: “I hate him.” That raw admission has reignited an old grudge and sent shockwaves through the MMA community.

Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett: A Grudge That Refuses to Die

While Ilia Topuria may be laser-focused on claiming the vacant UFC lightweight championship, his mind isn’t far from another personal mission—settling the score with Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett. Their bad blood isn’t fresh. It goes all the way back to 2021, when an online war of words escalated into a deeply personal and cultural feud.

This isn’t just a clash of styles or records. This is personal—deeply personal—for Topuria.

“I hate him. I really do. And one day, we’ll fight. I promise you that,” Topuria told media ahead of UFC 317.

Let’s take a closer look at the origin, the escalation, and the explosive potential of this bitter rivalry.

The Origins of Hate: Paddy Pimblett’s Controversial Tweet

The feud began innocently enough with Paddy Pimblett arguing online with another UFC fighter—Guram Kutateladze, who hails from Georgia, like Topuria. But it quickly took a dark turn when Pimblett posted a now-deleted tweet that said:

“Lad how stupid are these Georgians man, no wonder the Russians terrorise their lives.”

That one line sparked what would become one of the most emotionally charged feuds in UFC history. For Ilia Topuria, who lived through the 2008 Russia–Georgia war, the tweet wasn’t just disrespectful—it was deeply offensive.

“I was living in Georgia in 2008,” Topuria explained. “It was a very difficult time for me, for my family, for my country. A lot of innocent people and kids were dying. To see someone joking about that—it made my blood boil.”

That comment led to an in-person confrontation at the fighter hotel in London before UFC London in March 2022. According to eyewitnesses, things quickly escalated, and a bottle of hand sanitizer was thrown, along with some punches.

UFC London 2022: Same Card, Different Paths

At UFC London, both Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett were featured on the card, but not against each other.

Topuria delivered a stunning first-round knockout over Jai Herbert, while Pimblett submitted Kazula Vargas with a slick rear-naked choke. Both men earned “Performance of the Night” bonuses.

The UFC wisely kept them apart that night, but the fire had already been lit. The fans knew it. The fighters knew it. A collision was inevitable.

“When someone jokes about people dying in a war—my people—it’s unforgivable,” Topuria said in a post-fight interview.

Topuria’s Rise to the Top: The Road to UFC 317

Since UFC London, Ilia Topuria has stormed through the UFC featherweight division, claiming the title and then vacating it to move up to lightweight. His brutal domination of Josh Emmett and technical dismantling of Alexander Volkanovski earned him a reputation as a technical brawler with knockout power and fight IQ.

Now, he’s set to face Charles Oliveira on June 28 at UFC 317 in Las Vegas for the vacant UFC lightweight belt—and he’s walking in with supreme confidence.

“I already know I’ll beat Charles,” Topuria said. “That title is mine. And once I take it, I want Pimblett next.”

Paddy Pimblett: Showman or Serious Threat?

On the other side of this feud, Paddy Pimblett has carved a different path in the UFC. Known for his charisma, banter, and fan-friendly style, Pimblett has become a polarizing figure.

Though unbeaten in the UFC, his controversial decision win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282 left many questioning his true level against elite opposition. Still, Pimblett remains one of the most marketable fighters in the division, and his rivalry with Topuria could lead to one of the biggest grudge matches in recent memory.

“He’s just a clown,” Topuria said. “He’s not a real fighter. I want to humble him.”

Why This Fight Makes Sense: Marketability Meets Violence

Whether you love or hate them, both Topuria and Pimblett are stars. A fight between the two wouldn’t just be a grudge match—it would be a blockbuster headliner, possibly even for a stadium event in Europe.

1. Personal Beef

This isn’t about rankings. It’s about honor, culture, and revenge. Topuria has made it clear: “He disrespected my people. He will pay.”

2. Style Clash

Topuria is a calculated, powerful striker with elite grappling. Pimblett is a chaotic, aggressive grappler who thrives in scrambles. The fight would be fireworks from the opening bell.

3. UFC’s Dream Narrative

The UFC has always thrived on rivalries—McGregor vs Diaz, Khabib vs McGregor, Masvidal vs Covington. Topuria vs Pimblett has the potential to sit comfortably among those blood-feuds.

The Cultural Weight of Topuria’s Anger

It’s not just about personal insult—Topuria represents more than himself. His Georgian and Spanish fanbases see him as a symbol of pride and resilience. When he speaks of the Russia–Georgia war, he’s speaking from firsthand trauma.

“I saw friends lose their parents. I saw fear in the eyes of my people. And then I see this clown joking about it,” he said. “That’s something I’ll never forget.”

This weight makes the potential fight more than a sporting event—it’s a symbolic war between two contrasting ideologies: entertainment vs respect, flamboyance vs ferocity.

Will It Actually Happen? UFC Matchmaking Logic

The biggest question isn’t about heat—it’s about timing.

Scenario 1: Topuria Wins at UFC 317

If Topuria beats Charles Oliveira, he becomes UFC lightweight champion. He could call out Pimblett in his post-fight interview, creating a huge buzz. Dana White has a history of making fan-favorite fights when the demand is high enough.

Scenario 2: Topuria Loses

Even in defeat, a Topuria vs Pimblett co-main or headliner fight could sell arenas. The personal beef transcends rankings.

Pimblett’s Role

For this to happen, Pimblett will need a strong win in his next bout. While not officially scheduled, Pimblett is expected to fight again in late 2024.

Fan Reactions: The MMA Community Is Buzzing

Online forums like Reddit, Twitter (X), and MMA Underground are filled with debates:

“Topuria would destroy Paddy. This isn’t even competitive.”
“This needs to happen! Best rivalry since Khabib and Conor.”
“Pimblett disrespected Georgia and got away with it. Topuria’s about to collect.”

Even among casual fans, the story has traction. It’s not just a fight—it’s a narrative arc that taps into emotion, vengeance, and pride.

Conclusion: A Grudge Match for the Ages

Ilia Topuria’s hatred for Paddy Pimblett isn’t fabricated hype—it’s real, raw, and rooted in personal history. As Topuria eyes the UFC lightweight title, he’s also building toward something even more explosive—a fight that transcends sport and borders on national pride.

Should Topuria win at UFC 317, expect the callout of the year.