Rising UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett has shared his thoughts on Islam Makhachev`s recent surprising decision to vacate his UFC lightweight title, suggesting he would have approached the situation differently.
UFC President Dana White recently made the significant announcement that the lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, has relinquished his title to pursue a move up to the welterweight division.
This news came as a shock to many in the UFC community, especially considering that just a few days prior, Makhachev had stated his intention to keep his title and strive for double champion status.
Despite his previous comments, following his title vacation, it was announced that Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira would compete for the now-vacant lightweight championship at UFC 317.
Pimblett Questions Makhachev`s Choice to Vacate Lightweight Title
Ever since Ilia Topuria vacated his featherweight title specifically to seek a fight for the lightweight belt, Makhachev had clearly expressed a lack of interest in facing `El Matador`.
Although the top ranks of the lightweight division appear crowded with contenders who have already challenged for the title multiple times, new contenders are steadily climbing.
Paddy Pimblett is one such fighter, having secured the most important victory of his career to date this past April at UFC 314. He dominated Michael Chandler, leading to a third-round TKO finish.
Following the Russian`s unexpected title vacation, he received criticism from `The Baddy`, who explained what he believes Makhachev should have done instead.
“If I were Islam, I would have fought Topuria,” Pimblett stated in an interview.
“I would have beaten Topuria and then fought Jack Della Maddalena like four months later. Because Islam will probably want to headline the Abu Dhabi card (in October). If he smokes Topuria like he smoked Moicano and some of the others in the first round, he`d be good to go in October.”
“That`s what I would have done. I’m surprised that he didn’t fight Topuria at International Fight Week, but I can see where he’s coming from… Lots of people think Ilia beats Islam, but I don’t, so it would have been nice to see Islam school him,” he continued.
Pimblett Suggests Topuria Avoided Alexander Volkanovski Rematch
Sharing a similar viewpoint, `The Baddy` also accused Topuria of avoiding a featherweight title rematch against Alexander Volkanovski. Pimblett believes Volkanovski would have won a second fight.
Pimblett and Topuria have a history of animosity, stemming from an incident at a UFC fighter hotel in London back in 2022. Since then, they have continued to exchange insults online, potentially setting the stage for a significant title fight in the future.
“I don’t think he beats Volk if Volk hadn’t been knocked out three months before. I think that’s one of the reasons why he did move to lightweight, he didn’t want to have that rematch with Volk,” Pimblett claimed.
The British fighter is ambitiously targeting a number one contender bout against Justin Gaethje for his next fight. If Topuria successfully captures the lightweight title at UFC 317, it could finally lead to the anticipated clash between Pimblett and Topuria in the Octagon.
Gareth Tenby