Las Vegas, NV – Just when you thought UFC 317 couldn’t get any more dramatic, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett stepped in to pour gasoline on an already raging fire. The charismatic British lightweight, known for his fearless trash talk and wild energy, has now gone straight for the jugular in his ongoing feud with UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria.

Speaking to the media ahead of their blockbuster clash at UFC 317, Pimblett dropped a quote that immediately made headlines:

“He knows he can’t knock me out, and deep down, that terrifies him.”

With those words, Paddy didn’t just take a shot—he issued a challenge, an ultimatum aimed directly at Topuria’s ego. In a fight already fueled by years of animosity, personal jabs, and a viral hotel lobby altercation, this one quote has set the MMA world ablaze.

From Twitter Beef to Octagon War: The Rivalry That Refuses to Die

The roots of the Pimblett vs. Topuria feud stretch all the way back to 2022, long before either fighter had fully arrived on the UFC main stage. It began, as so many modern rivalries do, on social media. A few mocking comments from Paddy about Topuria’s Georgian heritage were met with fury, and it didn’t take long for things to get physical—literally.

At UFC London that year, cameras caught a now-infamous altercation in a hotel hallway, where Topuria confronted Pimblett and ended up throwing a bottle of hand sanitizer at him. Security quickly intervened, but the moment went viral, and the seed was planted: one day, these two would have to settle it in the Octagon.

Fast forward to 2025, and that day is nearly here.

Ilia Topuria: The Silent Assassin with Gold on His Waist

Topuria, nicknamed “El Matador,” has become one of the scariest rising forces in all of MMA. The Spanish-Georgian wrecking ball boasts a 15-0 professional record, a terrifying combination of knockout power, elite grappling, and unshakeable confidence.

Earlier this year, he cemented his legacy by shocking the world—knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to capture the UFC featherweight title. Many expected Topuria to defend his belt in the 145-pound division, but instead, he opted for something much spicier: a long-awaited grudge match against Pimblett, this time at lightweight.

Why? Because for Topuria, this fight is personal.

“He’s disrespected me, my people, and my journey,” Topuria said in a recent interview. “I don’t care about belts right now. I care about making him pay.”

And while Topuria has mostly carried himself with cold fury, Pimblett’s latest comment about not being able to be knocked out seems to have pushed the champion over the edge.

Pimblett’s Confidence: Delusion or Destiny?

To some, Pimblett’s confidence is delusional bravado—but to his loyal fan base, it’s the energy that made him a star in the first place.

Since his UFC debut, Paddy Pimblett has been a walking headline, known for his wild walkouts, larger-than-life persona, and a fighting style that’s as reckless as it is effective. While critics have pointed to holes in his defense and questionable decision wins, his record still stands at 22-3, and he’s undefeated in the UFC.

“People have doubted me since day one,” Pimblett said. “And every time, I shut them up.”

In facing Topuria, Pimblett finally gets the chance to prove he belongs among the elite, and he’s doing it on the biggest stage of his career. But is he biting off more than he can chew?

When asked if he feared Topuria’s striking power, Pimblett laughed:

“He throws hard, yeah, but he needs clean contact. He’s never fought someone like me—someone who’ll grin while getting hit and keep coming. He can’t knock me out. He knows it. That’s why he’s been so angry all week.”

What’s at Stake at UFC 317?

Unlike most grudge matches, this isn’t just about pride—it’s about positioning. While the lightweight title isn’t on the line, the winner of Pimblett vs. Topuria could easily be thrust into title contention.

• If Topuria wins, he could become one of the rare champions to move up and dominate a second division, placing himself alongside all-time greats like Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Conor McGregor.

• If Pimblett pulls off the upset, it will be career-altering. A win over an undefeated champion would catapult him from fan-favorite to legitimate title threat.

And of course, there’s the matter of ego. This isn’t a rivalry born from matchmaking. This is about unfinished business. A win here isn’t just a W on the record—it’s personal vindication.

Fight Style Clash: Chaos vs. Precision

In terms of styles, this is a high-octane powder keg:

• Pimblett thrives in scrambles. His ground game, honed in the Cage Warriors circuit, is crafty and unpredictable. He’s known to get clipped early, then recover and pounce when opponents get careless. His submission threat is real, especially in transitions.

• Topuria, on the other hand, is a technical destroyer. His striking is crisp, compact, and devastating. He rarely wastes energy, and once he smells blood, it’s usually lights out for his opponent. On the ground, he’s a dangerous grappler with a tight guillotine and strong positional control.

The big question heading into UFC 317 is: Can Pimblett survive the storm long enough to turn it into chaos? Or will Topuria land the clean shot that shuts “The Baddy” down for good?

Mental Warfare in Full Swing

Leading up to the fight, both men have thrown verbal haymakers—but Pimblett’s latest quote has changed the tone of the build-up. By saying Topuria “knows” he can’t knock him out, Pimblett has done two things:

1. Challenged Topuria’s self-belief—suggesting even the champ doubts himself.

2. Put a spotlight on the finish—implying that anything short of a knockout win for Topuria is a moral defeat.

It’s brilliant mental warfare—and it may be working.

“Ilia’s fighting emotional,” Pimblett said. “That’s a mistake. I’ll stay cool, let him gas out, and then it’s my fight.”

Whether it’s a calculated strategy or just vintage Paddy chaos, one thing is clear: the pressure is now squarely on Topuria to deliver a finish.

Dana White: “This is the fight fans have been begging for”

UFC President Dana White has never been shy about embracing drama—and UFC 317 is exactly what he loves to see.

“This one’s real,” White said at the press conference. “They hate each other. The fans have been begging for this for years. And now they finally get to settle it.”

White has also hinted that the winner of this fight could be next in line for a massive payday—possibly a title shot, or even a main event at UFC 325.

The Final Countdown

With fight week approaching, training camps are reaching their peak. Both men are in the final stages of preparation, cutting weight, drilling strategy, and watching hours of footage. But the fight may already be halfway won—or lost—in the mind.

Pimblett is as confident as ever, dancing at open workouts, joking with the media, and turning every camera into a spotlight.

Topuria, meanwhile, has grown visibly more intense, choosing silence over showmanship.

“I don’t talk. I finish,” Topuria said. “And Paddy’s time is up.”

But Pimblett refuses to back down.

“When the cage door shuts, the noise stops. And we’ll see who panics first. Spoiler: It won’t be me.”

Prediction? Pain—and a Career-Altering Result

No matter what happens, UFC 317 will mark a turning point for both fighters.

• If Topuria crushes Pimblett, it confirms what many believe: he’s destined for greatness across two divisions.

• If Pimblett survives and wins, the sport’s loudest underdog may become its most unlikely contender.

Either way, the fight promises fireworks, controversy, and unforgettable moments.