UFC 317’s Ilia Topuria: ‘I’m best in the world’ after historic win,
UFC 317’s Ilia Topuria spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters after his first-round KO of Charles Oliveira to claim the lightweight title in Las Vegas.
Ilia Topuria doesn’t just want to defeat Paddy Pimblett. He wants to embarrass him in front of the whole world.
After winning the vacant lightweight title with a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) anticipates the first challenger to his reign will be longtime rival Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who entered the cage for a faceoff after his win.
Although UFC CEO Dana White said he didn’t approve of the faceoff and did not guaranteed Pimblett’s place as the next contender, Topuria thinks it’s a big fight for the sport and one that would generate mass global fan interest.
“All the fans around the world, I think they want to see that fight,” Topuria told TMZ. “But at the same time, I have to be honest, I think it’s one of the easiest fights that I could have in the lightweight division because I can do with him whatever I want in reality. It’s very exciting fight for the fans, but I’m going to go enjoy a lot the whole process. At the same time where I’m going to be able to shine once again.”
If Topuria is granted his wish for a title defense with Pimblett, he is confident that it would be another highlight for his reel.
Topuria said in the aftermath of UFC 317 that he didn’t take any joy out of beating Oliveira. He has a bitter history with Pimblett, however, and said he would not only want to end the fight spectacularly, but also do it in a manner that will make Pimblett ashamed.
“I could choose the way I want to finish him,” Topuria said. “He’s not going to stay there for more than one round with me. But I don’t know, maybe it’s going to be cool to submit him on the ground with a triangle choke from the mount, something like that, and as I told him, put my balls on his forehead.”
