Outside Source
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Paddy Pimblett is aware of the public perception of Ilia Topuria; he just doesn’t care.
Speaking to James Sweetnam on Tuesday, “The Baddy” acknowledged the hype around the two-division UFC champ but dismissed it, saying, “[I’ll] absolutely smash his face in for him. I can see me beating him anywhere the fight goes, to be honest. People have put him on a pedestal now, they think he’s this big amazing thing. I’ll bring him crashing back down to the earth in a big way.”
Topuria (17-0), who vacated the featherweight title earlier this year, won the vacant lightweight strap with a knockout of Charles Oliveira in the main event at UFC 317 in June, but the identity of his first challenger remains unclear. Arman Tsarukyan, the No. 1 contender and the backup fighter for the main event, was in attendance at that event, but “El Matador” instead had a face-off with Pimblett (23-3) inside the Octagon after winning the title. Perennial contender and multiple-time title challenger Justin Gaethje is threatening retirement if denied the next title shot as well, butTopuria has clearly expressed his preference for Pimblett over Gaethje.
Pimblett, a former two-division titleholder in Cage Warriors is undefeated in seven UFC outings, with his most notable wins coming against Michael Chandler, Bobby Green, and Tony Ferguson.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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