Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: UFC, Paddy Pimblett, Justin Gaethje, MMA
Luke Davies
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has seemingly accidentally leaked Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett’s next opponent after the Liverpudlian faced off with Ilia Topuria at UFC 317.
Topuria, 28, came head-to-head with Pimblett, 30, following his first-round knockout victory over Charles Oliveira.
The pair’s feud is linked to a social media exchange several years ago, which resulted in the duo almost coming to blows at the fighter hotel ahead of UFC London in March 2022.
In a recent exclusive interview with SPORTbible, Pimblett named Topuria as the fighter he hates the most.
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Pimblett said: "He's a pain in the ass. I'd love to give that fight to the fans, because for a long time, I believe that in the UFC, you haven't seen a real fight. Two people who really want to fight each other, and what better way than to fight in front of everyone and put on a show? I know what's going to happen, and it won't be good for him."
And the hatred goes both ways, with Topuria claiming “that’s the fight I want” in his post-fight press conference on Saturday.
"With Charles, I had a bit of a difficult situation because I really like the guy,” said Topuria.
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"He’s a really great human being, you can’t hate him. But with Paddy, I’m really going to enjoy kicking his a**."
And despite most fans thinking the duo would clash next time out, this does not appear to be the case.
In a video posted to Ahmed Amwell’s YouTube channel, via Championship Rounds, UFC middleweight champion Du Plessis, 31, appeared to leak information about how the fight card could look at UFC 319, which is set to take place on August 16.
The South African will defend his title against Khamzat Chimaev while Jared Cannonier faces Michael Page in the co-main.
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And if what Du Plessis claims is true, Pimblett may also feature, but not against Topuria.
“It’s gonna be a big card,” said Du Plessis. “The co-main event is Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje.”
Fans quickly gave their thoughts on social media.
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One said: “I hope Gaethje wins. I would love to see Gaethje vs Topuria, but the fact is that he doesn’t deserve it
"If Gaethje flatlines Paddy, it will be such an insane boost to Ilia's career to fight him at MSG."
Another added: “I love Gaethje but we need new blood. Paddy has a slim but possible chance to beat Ilia. Gaethje simply has almost none. Plus Paddy and Ilia have a lot of beef."
A third commented: “Paddy has way better shot at beating topuria than Gaethje does."