Is Topuria READY? Pimblett reveals what makes this undefeated fighter “hesitant” when facing Oliveira

The world of UFC is never short of drama, and Paddy Pimblett has just added more fuel to the fire. In a recent interview with TNT Sports, the outspoken Liverpool native made headlines once again by taking a jab at his longtime rival Ilia Topuria, this time focusing on the potential showdown between Topuria and Charles Oliveira.

According to Pimblett, Topuria could be in for a rude awakening when he sees the sheer size and presence of “Do Bronx” Charles Oliveira, a former lightweight champion who has proven time and again that he’s no easy opponent. With this fight inching closer to reality, fans, fighters, and pundits are taking sides — and “The Baddy” is clearly backing Oliveira.

The Matchup: Topuria vs Oliveira Set to Rock the Lightweight Division

Ilia Topuria (16-0) remains undefeated, and his dominant victory over Alexander Volkanovski to claim the featherweight title skyrocketed his status in the UFC. But now, eyes are on his next move — and that could very well be a jump to lightweight to face Charles Oliveira (35-10).

While Topuria has expressed his desire to conquer two divisions, he may be facing a formidable task in Oliveira, a man who holds the record for the most finishes in UFC history and once wore the lightweight crown. Pimblett sees this as a dangerous leap for the Spanish-Georgian phenom.

“10 pounds is a lot of difference, people don’t understand that,” Pimblett said. “Ilia might get a little scared when he sees how big Charles is in front of him.”

Size Does Matter: Pimblett Points to Physical Disparity

Paddy Pimblett isn’t just talking trash — he’s highlighting what could be a key factor in this potential bout: the size difference. Topuria stands at 1.70m, while Oliveira is 1.78m, giving the Brazilian a significant height and reach advantage.

“Charles is a big lightweight. He’s strong, long, and can grapple and strike,” Pimblett added. “You can’t just walk through him like Ilia did with those featherweights.”

But fans of Topuria will be quick to remind everyone of one important fact: Topuria has already faced — and knocked out — larger opponents. His lightweight victory over Jai Herbert, who stands at 1.85m, proved that he can neutralize height and reach with explosive power and precision.

Still, Pimblett’s words may carry a deeper intention — one rooted in a personal rivalry that’s been brewing for years.

The Rivalry: Pimblett vs Topuria – War of Words Continues

Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria have had bad blood since 2021, when tensions between the two erupted backstage at a UFC event. Ever since, they’ve traded insults in interviews, social media, and press appearances. Their mutual disdain has turned them into one of the most intriguing non-title rivalries in the UFC.

Now, with both fighters climbing toward elite status, the potential for a clash has never been closer. Topuria recently said that if he beats Oliveira, he wants his first title defense to be against Pimblett — not just for the belt, but for the massive attention and financial impact such a fight would generate.

“I’ll finish Oliveira, and then I’ll shut Paddy up for good,” Topuria stated in a recent interview.

Can Oliveira Stop the Topuria Hype Train?

For many, Charles Oliveira is the dark horse in this narrative. While Topuria has stolen the spotlight lately, fans must not forget that “Do Bronx” is one of the most dangerous men in the UFC. His resume includes wins over Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Michael Chandler — names that dominate the top tier of lightweight talent.

Oliveira has already shown he can handle pressure, bounce back from losses, and submit or KO opponents in dramatic fashion. If he were to derail Topuria’s momentum, it would not only cement his legacy further, but also disrupt Topuria’s plans to rule two divisions.

“People have counted me out before. I’ve proven them wrong every time,” Oliveira said recently. “Topuria is good — but I’m better.”

Topuria’s Confidence Still Unshaken

Despite Pimblett’s warning, Ilia Topuria remains confident, and perhaps rightly so. At just 27 years old, he has already dismantled legends like Volkanovski and finished nearly all of his opponents in the first or second round. His mix of elite boxing, powerful kicks, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu makes him a nightmare for anyone, including Oliveira.

His knockout over Herbert at lightweight also showed that Topuria’s power translates up a division, giving more credibility to his ambitions.

“They said Jai was too big. I knocked him out. Now they say Charles is too experienced. I’ll knock him out too,” Topuria posted on Instagram.

Could Pimblett vs Topuria Happen in 2026?

While Topuria focuses on Oliveira, Paddy Pimblett has his eyes on Justin Gaethje, targeting a possible late 2025 showdown. If Pimblett wins and Topuria claims victory over Oliveira, the UFC could finally stage Pimblett vs Topuria on a massive numbered event in Europe, possibly in the UK or Spain.

Such a card would likely shatter attendance and PPV records. Both fighters are major fan attractions, with Pimblett bringing the Scouse faithful, and Topuria capturing audiences across Spain and Georgia.

“It’ll be the biggest fight in European UFC history,” said Dana White in a recent comment about the possible matchup. “If they both win, we’re doing it.”

Can Paddy Pimblett Earn a Title Shot?

Paddy Pimblett (23-3) has been slowly rebuilding his momentum after a controversial decision win over Jared Gordon, followed by a strong performance in his return bout. If he beats Justin Gaethje, one of the UFC’s most violent and respected lightweights, it will be hard to deny him a title opportunity.

However, critics argue that Pimblett has yet to face elite competition. Gaethje would be a true litmus test to see whether the UFC’s hype machine has produced a real contender.

Pimblett, though, is not lacking in confidence.

“I know I’m one win away. Let me take Gaethje’s head off, and then I’ll do the same to Ilia,” he said.

Conclusion: Words Today, War Tomorrow

As the Topuria vs Oliveira fight inches closer, the opinions from fighters like Paddy Pimblett add spice to an already compelling matchup. While some see it as a clash between Topuria’s rise and Oliveira’s resilience, others — like “The Baddy” — see it as a prelude to an even bigger fight down the road.

With Topuria’s dominance, Oliveira’s experience, and Pimblett’s loud presence, the UFC lightweight division is about to enter a new era of rivalries, drama, and unforgettable fights.

Whether or not Topuria gets “scared” when he sees Oliveira is up for debate. But one thing is certain — the fight world is watching, and the outcome could shape the future of the entire division.