Paddy Pimblett has shared the specific words Ilia Topuria directed at him just moments before the lightweight champion shoved him during their heated encounter at UFC 317.
The spontaneous face-off occurred shortly after Topuria`s spectacular knockout victory over Charles Oliveira in the main event, a win that earned Topuria the vacant lightweight title.
Cameras captured some of the exchange, which began with Pimblett`s comments:
“Well done, lad. That was a heavy knockout, respect… but you will never knock me out.”
Topuria`s response was highly aggressive:
“I’m going to take your head, you little p***y. I’m going to put my balls on your forehead, you little p***y!”
A visibly fired-up Pimblett quickly replied:
“I never get knocked out, I’ll finish you, little man.”
Just moments before shoving Pimblett, Topuria delivered one final insult:
“Get your bum a*** out of here.”
Pimblett appeared to relish the confrontation as he exited the cage, promptly revealing to UFC cameras what Topuria had said when the microphone wasn`t capturing his words.
Pimblett stated:
“Ilia’s just said in the cage that he’s going to submit me.”
Pimblett was dismissive of Topuria`s boast, suggesting it was a sign of weakness:
“He won’t do that. He said it because he knows he can’t knock me out.”
He then issued a clear challenge:
“I will put that little b**** in his place. Get it booked!”
While fans seemed entertained by the unscripted interaction between the long-standing rivals, UFC President Dana White was not pleased.
White expressed frustration, insisting the two should never have been allowed within striking distance of each other:
“I don’t know who the hell let him in there.”
“That should have never happened.”
“I was already back in my room or that would have never occurred.”
