The UFC light-weight division has a vacant title and ageing contenders.
Former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria (16-0) and former light-weight titleholder Charles Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC) will combat for the vacant title at UFC 317 on June 28 throughout the UFC’s annual Worldwide Battle Week.
High pound-for-pound fighter Islam Makhachev vacated the 155-pound championship to maneuver as much as the welterweight division to problem for a second UFC divisional title.
Rising light-weight star Paddy Pimblett would personally reasonably see Oliveira win however is aware of if Topuria turns into champion that it may very well be helpful to his profession. In spite of everything, the 2 have historical past.
“It is in all probability higher for me if Ilia wins the belt as a result of he’ll in all probability name me out,” Pimblett advised TNT Sports activities. “I do not know who I wish to win. I am a fan of Charles, so I feel I would like Charles to win but it surely’s in all probability higher for my profession if Ilia wins as a result of I would greater than seemingly be his first title protection.”
Pimblett believes a combat in opposition to Topuria is the second largest matchup the group could make bridesmaid to a heavyweight unification bout between champion Jon Jones and interim titleholder Tom Aspinall.
“Other than Jon Jones and Aspinall, I feel that is the largest combat the UFC could make, me versus Ilia,” Pimblett stated. “There’s a great deal of historical past in it. There’s dangerous blood. Individuals love all that sh*t.”
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The ‘dangerous blood’ Pimblett referenced stemmed from on-line feedback that led to a bodily altercation on the fighter lodge in London throughout UFC Battle Evening 204 combat week in March 2022. The 2 almost got here to blows on the UFC 282 Press Convention later that yr.
“It has been 4 years within the making. He has performed loads within the sport since then,” Pimblett stated earlier than trashing Topuria’s resume. “Each combat he received earlier than the title Michael Chandler beats each single one among them. Bobby Inexperienced beats each single one among them.
“I do not suppose he beats Volk (Alexander Volkanovski) if Volk hadn’t been knocked out three months earlier. I feel that is one of many causes he did transfer to light-weight as a result of he did not wish to have that rematch with Volk.”
Pimblett is ranked No. 8 within the division and is driving a nine-fight successful streak. He is coming off a dominating win over former title challenger Michael Chandler.
