The feuds among fighters in the UFC provide additional narratives that keep the rivalry hyped up for the fans. However, it does take a nasty turn when the trash-talking enters the realms of politics, racism, or the like. Fighters are not always politically correct, and when they bring in conflicts between nations, it puts the protagonists and the promotion in a bad light. Needless to say, the fans are left with a bitter taste as well.
Invariably, once they realize the error in what they have said or done, damage-control measures kick in. U-turns are made in double time. Something similar is happening in the Ilia Topuria-Paddy Pimblett feud. It had become caustic after a controversial reference to the war between Russia and Georgia by Pimblett.
The rivalry between Pimblett and Topuria started in 2021 after the Liverpool fighter made remarks about Russia bombing Georgia on social media. It didn’t sit well with Topuria, who has Georgian roots. Things escalated in 2022 during UFC Fight Night in London, where the two got into a physical altercation.
Topuria opened up last month about how personal this feud has become for him. “He said something like, ‘Now I understand why the Russians bombed Georgia’,” Topuria recalled on the Full Send Podcast.
“A lot of kids died in that war. When you joke about that — make sure we don’t run into each other, because I’m gonna take your f—ing head off,” Topuria added, reiterating the insensitivity in Pimblett’s comment.
The 12th-ranked lightweight from Liverpool has now come out with his reply. He has accused Topuria of spreading what he calls the “worst lie ever” about a comment he insisted he never made.
Paddy, in an interview with Nina Marie Daniele, insisted that his words were twisted and taken out of context.
“There’s not too many unhinged things that I do not know, I’ve heard people say all sorts about me and make lies up and all sorts. Stuff gets sent around about me on WhatsApp because people are jealous,” said Pimblett.
“Worst one is Ilia made up though, saying I was talking about a war. No, I wasn’t. I didn’t even know Georgia and Russia had been to war. That is the worst lie I have ever heard in my life,” the Scouser added.
The feud, given its seriousness, is likely to have more chapters and exchanges in the coming months.
Pimblett has been at it with Topuria because the Georgia-born Spanish fighter is one of the possible obstacles he needs to overcome on his way to a title shot in the division.
Pimblett brands Topuria an idiot
Surprisingly, Pimblett has been calm and respectful toward his opponent for the weekend, Michael Chandler. The British fighter is confident he is coming out on top at UFC 314.
Instead, he has been taking shots at Arman Tsarukyan and Topuria, who are his next potential opponents and are themselves title contenders in the lightweight division.
Pimblett has already announced his ambitions. After he defeats Chandler this weekend, he would take a fight against either Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje, win, and then challenge for the title.
Topuria, after moving up a division, is waiting for his turn to make a title charge. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that the Brit is pushing Topuria. His latest attack was by mocking the former featherweight champ for changing his nickname.
“Anyone who changes their nickname — just sort your head out,” he said, clearly targeting fighters like Bobby Green (now King Green) and Topuria.
Paddy argued that nicknames aren’t something you give yourself, and switching them mid-career makes “you look like an absolute idiot,” he added.
He even doubled down with his favorite insult for Topuria, calling him a “chorizo” (a sausage).
Earlier last month, Topuria announced he was moving on from his moniker of ‘El Matador’, rechristening himself as ‘La Leyenda’ or ‘The Legend’.
