Ilia Topuria has responded to the fight that determined his next opponent. The two lightweight stars put it all on the line for five rounds, with both men pushing forward in search of a finish.
Ilia Topuria has responded to the fight that determined his next opponent.
The two lightweight stars put it all on the line for five rounds, with both men pushing forward in search of a finish. In the end, Gaethje edged it out on the scorecards and claimed his first UFC belt.
Pimblett, meanwhile, came up short in his first taste of championship gold but will no doubt be back stronger after putting up such a good account of himself against one of the division’s all-time greats.
Ilia Topuria responds to UFC 324 outcome
Ilia Topuria didn’t wait long to react to UFC 324, posting on social media about an hour after the event wrapped up.
The UFC lightweight champion took aim at Paddy Pimblett, blaming him for ruining what could have been a huge grudge match between them.
He also looked ahead to his upcoming fight with Justin Gaethje, making it clear he feels confident about how that bout will go.
“Little sausage, the only thing you had to do was beat a 38 year old guy,” Topuria tweeted.
“You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life. You were going to get rich if you won. Justin, all I can say is congratulations… And I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what.”
Arman Tsarukyan fires back at Paddy Pimblett
Arman Tsarukyan didn’t hold back after Paddy Pimblett’s first UFC defeat, calling him a ‘trash can’ on social media.
The tension between the two had already been simmering before UFC 324, and Tsarukyan didn’t waste time adding fuel to the fire.
“This clown couldn’t beat Gaethje on antibiotics,” he posted online.
He continued: “That’s what happens when you’re gifted opportunities and pushed up the rankings artificially, a completely undeserved title shot for Paddy. Congratulations to Justin. He showed real heart, and unlike others, he’ll step up and take the fight with me. Respect.”
Tsarukyan also spoke out during an interview with Paramount+, where he criticised both fighters after their battle in Paris.
“He’s a trash can. Paddy is not a top fighter,” Tsarukyan said.
“If it was me, or Ilia [Topuria], Gaethje wouldn’t do that.
“I’d choke him out in the second round. He has no chin. His cardio is bad too.
“Paddy got knocked out 15 or 20 times. Justin didn’t want to finish him, but he could’ve 10 times.”
Category: General Sports
