Paddy Pimblett has gone on the offensive, calling out UFC star Ilia Topuria for what he believes is a fabricated public persona. Speaking to Marca, Pimblett made his feelings clear.
“He tried to jump me,” Pimblett said. “When I was on my own and he was with like 10 other people, he tried to attack me. Made himself famous off the back of my name. He thinks he’s too good to fight me. You wouldn’t be where you’re at without me.”
Pimblett claims that Topuria leveraged his name and reputation to boost his own career, creating a persona that Pimblett views as disingenuous.
Questioning Topuria’s Nationality
A key point of Pimblett’s critique revolves around Topuria’s claimed nationality.
“If we’re being honest, Topuria’s not Spanish,” Pimblett said. “Let’s just get that out there straight away. He’s German. He fakes to be Georgian and Spanish to get more fans when he was born in Germany. He is a German.”
Topuria’s actual background shows he was born in Germany to Georgian parents who were refugees. His family later returned to Georgia and eventually moved to Spain. Despite this, Pimblett alleges Topuria manipulates his fanbase in both Georgia and Spain.
“He just jumped on the coattails to get more fans and more followers,” Pimblett added. “He’s fake. He’s so fake, like half his followers. It’s been proven, half his followers on Instagram are bought. He’s the fakest person ever. He’s just a [Conor] McGregor copycat and I’m getting sick of him.”
Pimblett’s criticism extends beyond heritage, questioning Topuria’s authenticity and influence in MMA.
“No one would know Ilia Topuria if it wasn’t for me, he made himself famous off the back of my name. He wouldn’t even be a champ now if it wasn’t for him jumping on my coattails, and now he thinks he’s too good to fight me? He’s not even from Madrid, he’s not even from Spain…”
Ranked No. 6, Pimblett has been training and preparing for a potential bout with Topuria. While Topuria’s camp hints at other options, including Justin Gaethje, Pimblett hopes his popularity can influence UFC matchmaking.
The first Paramount+ card for 2026 is still being finalized by UFC President Dana White, and fans are eagerly waiting to see if this long-anticipated rivalry will finally come to fruition.
