Ilia Topuria pushes Paddy Pimblett after calling him out at #UFC317 | ESPN MMA

ESPN MMA

This video has been trending in Spain, Australia, United States, Canada, Papua New Guinea, United Kingdom, and Austria

The ESPN MMA clip captures the exact moment when Ilia Topuria, still fired up after a post-fight interview, calls out Paddy Pimblett and publicly challenges him to fight at UFC 317. Topuria climbs into the octagon, grabs the microphone, and reminds everyone of the rivalry they’ve carried since 2022, when they clashed in a London hotel. Without mincing words, he issues the challenge, seasoning it with jabs about Pimblett’s popularity and how easily he claims he would finish him.

Paddy Pimblett, who was sitting backstage with his team, gets up and heads toward the cage upon hearing his name. Before he can respond, Topuria steps out of the octagon and confronts him just a few yards from the interview platform. The Spanish-Georgian fighter forcefully shoves the Brit in the chest, prompting event security to intervene immediately. Spectators—including other fighters and members of the media—react in shock as a mix of cheers and boos erupts from the crowd.

While guards keep both contenders apart, cameras pick up Pimblett shouting that he’ll accept the challenge “at any weight and in any city.” Held back by his coach, Topuria insists the bout be added to the UFC 317 main card and says he’s willing to move up to lightweight to settle the score. The standoff continues for several seconds until organizers escort each fighter to separate areas.

In the video’s final segment, ESPN MMA analysts recap the altercation, emphasizing that Topuria has just solidified himself as a featherweight contender and that a fight with Pimblett would require him to move up a division for a clash between two of Europe’s biggest stars. They add that the matchup hinges on the UFC’s willingness to approve an inter-divisional bout and on Pimblett’s medical clearance, as he’s been nursing an ankle injury. Ultimately, the clip captures the surging anticipation for a showdown that promises hefty pay-per-view numbers and adds another chapter to one of the promotion’s most talked-about rivalries

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