LAS VEGAS – Ilia Topuria believes rising lightweight star Paddy Pimblett was on the receiving end of a present from the official cageside judges at UFC 282.
Topuria (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) and Pimblett have had their differences in the past, including needing to be separated by security at the pre-fight press conference on Thursday.
After Topuria handed Bryce Mitchell his first loss by submission earlier on the main card, he watched Pimblett’s fight against Jared Gordon, and relayed his thoughts about the controversial decision result of the co-main bout.
“They give him a Christmas gift right now because he clearly lost the fight,” Topuria told reporters at the post-fight news conference. “I don’t think anyone disagrees with me in this room. … Jared won all three rounds. He didn’t win any rounds.
“But anyway, f*ck him. Right now, I’m going to celebrate my win. Like I said before, he’s not in my way right now, so, God bless everyone who’s not in my way. If he crosses in my way, then we’re going to put his head like Bryce’s head tonight.”
Topuria kept his professional record unblemished by taking care of business against Mitchell (15-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), ending a two-fight 2022 campaign that saw two second-round finishes and a pair of Performance of the Night bonuses.
Check out Topuria’s full post-fight news conference in the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 282.
Ilia Topuria says Paddy Pimblett received a ‘Christmas gift’ from judges at UFC 282