This week Ilia Topuria could keep an eye on Charles Oliveira in Las Vegas for UFC 317.
This year Topuria said goodbye to the featherweight division after a short rule on the throne, with the difficult weight that the 28-year-old brings back to 155 pounds.
After Topuria Alexander Volkanovski had eliminated and defended his 145 pound title against Max Holloway in 2024, he will have another belt wrapped around his waist on 28 June.
In the way of the goal of Topuria is Oliveira, but days from their fight in the Main Event of UFC 317, another lightweight 'El Matador' has sent a threat.
Paddy Pimblett says he will not cause any problems with Ilia Topuria, but he will finish it
Among those who compete for the chance of the winner of Oliveira vs. Topuria along the line is Paddy Pimblett.
'The Baddy' has climbed the ranks with an undefeated Octagon -Run, with Pimblett that recently dominates Michael Chandler in Miami last April.
Although their career paths have remained separate, Pimblett and Topuria share one of the most heated feud in the UFC. And with the scouser in Las Vegas for the International Fight Week, the chances of a fight are increased.
“I will be there in Las Vegas on June 28 Cagesside,” Pimblett told Casino.org. “If he mentions me, I will be pulled into the cage and I will laugh my head off. It will be pretty funny.”
Although Pimblett says that he will not be the one who starts things, he warned that he will not endanger the UFC 317 by turning Topuria off.
“I don't cause any problems; I just come up with the time in London when Ilia got the hand desfless that bounced off his head, I was alone and he tried to jump with about nine people. I am not that causing disaster; I will just be there with my manager and cameraman.
“When I see him and it goes off, you never know, I can switch it off and he may not even be able to fight Oliveira. I am not one of those who pop up to try to cause chaos. If he wants to try something, I will finish it, just as I did last time.
“I'll be there from Wednesday, so we'll see what happens.”
Pimblett and Topuria praised almost in London, where a physical fight in the Fighter Hotel was quickly split up prior to an event from 2022. That incident was fueled by the comments from the scouser about Georgia on social media.
Ilia Topuria could have a fighting week with another UFC rival
Pimblett is not the only lightweight enemy that could distract Topuria in the days prior to UFC 317.
Before his chance to reach two -division glory, the Spaniard's attention was recently taken away from Oliveira and to Arman Tsarukyan.
The Russian-Armenian competition will weigh as the backup hunter for the main event on Saturday, months after the injury had taken the Tsarukyan's title shot on the late notification in Los Angeles.
Given Tsarukyan's back and forth with Topuria, UFC staff would do well to keep them apart during the International Vechtweek.