Paddy Pimblett vs. Ilia Topuria: From Enemies to... Still Enemies? (2026)

Paddy Pimblett dismisses Ilia Topuria's attempts at reconciliation: 'I still hate him'

Ryan Harkness, an MMA news writer with a decade-plus of experience in the industry, dissects the latest developments in the world of mixed martial arts. Having worked for renowned outlets like FOX Sports, Yahoo! Sports, and MMAmania.com, Harkness brings a wealth of knowledge to his analysis.

The question on everyone's mind: Can former enemies Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett put their differences aside? Not according to Pimblett, who recently expressed his intention to keep Topuria's personal life out of his trash talk. This led Topuria to praise Pimblett's entertainment value and his ability to learn from mistakes, particularly regarding his tweets about Georgia.

Despite their public displays of animosity, including multiple near-brawls, Pimblett maintains a respectful stance towards Topuria's personal matters. He emphasizes that their rivalry is confined to the octagon, and they refrain from discussing each other's families. Pimblett's approach stands in contrast to other fighters, like Colby Covington, who have faced criticism for their insensitive remarks.

As Pimblett prepares for his upcoming fight against Justin Gaethje, Topuria is entangled in a messy divorce, facing accusations of extortion and domestic abuse. While some might be tempted to engage in classless behavior, Pimblett chooses to maintain a higher level of professionalism, setting an example for his peers in the UFC.

Paddy Pimblett vs. Ilia Topuria: From Enemies to... Still Enemies? (2026)

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