The dynamic between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett has changed, transforming their personal feud into a professional rivalry.
It has been three years since the incident between Topuria and Pimblett in a hotel escalated into what would become one of the UFC’s more recognisable rivalries.
Since then, their feud has played out across press conferences, social media exchanges, and interviews.
But as a potential bout looms in 2026, the nature of their rivalry seems to have shifted.
Ilia Topuria puts an end to his feud with Paddy Pimblett
Topuria has said he is stepping away from MMA for a while to focus on family matters.
With ‘El Matador’ sidelined, the UFC set up a bout between Pimblett and Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324, scheduled for January 24.
‘The Baddy’ chose not to criticise Topuria during his absence, instead offering support as he handled personal matters away from the spotlight.
That gesture appears to have shifted the tone of their rivalry, with Pimblett’s comments drawing a respectful response from Topuria in an interview with ESPN Deportes.
“I always said he looked like someone who’s a super entertaining guy who did a superb job.
“He had his slips with a tweet that he made about Georgia. But I think we all learn from our mistakes.
“Deep down, I notice that he is a person who understands family problems, personal problems, and respects it.
“What will happen in the octagon is something that really excites everyone.
“At the end of the day, we are professionals, and we’ll have a professional match.”
Ilia Topuria reveals he plans to try boxing ‘not too long from now’
Topuria has never hidden his interest in boxing, and still wants to move into the sport after finishing up his MMA career. And with everything he has already accomplished by the age of 28, that shift could come sooner rather than later.
He said to Marca: “It’s no secret that I always wanted to go and test my skills in boxing, but I think something I’ve always applied to my life is that he who wants to hunt two rabbits in the end does not hunt either.
“So I want to first finish my story in MMA and once I finish to make my complete transition to boxing because I can not be preparing for an MMA fight, then go, prepare for a boxing match, return… I think it would not be very professional, right? Because boxing needs a completely different approach.
“It’s a very, very, very different training to which I have to adapt. Obviously, they are different times, and come on, it’s not an octagon, it’s a ring, and I would have to adapt to it, which takes time, like everything in life.
“So now, at this moment, in mixed martial arts, when I’m done, I don’t think I’m going to be too long if I’m honest in this sport… I’ll make my transition to boxing, and I’m going to surprise more than one”.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
