Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria have had an ongoing feud since 2022, and while Pimblett has a chance to win the interim title at UFC 324, Renato Moicano doubts his ability to defeat Topuria, likening it to an unlikely but possible upset in the sport.
Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria have been at odds since 2022. It all started when Pimblett, the current UFC lightweight champ, took issue with comments about the Georgia-Russia war. Things got physical before UFC London that year, and it’s only heated up since.
Pimblett’s got a shot at the interim title at UFC 324. He’s facing Justin Gaethje on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. If he wins, a unification bout with Topuria could be on the horizon in 2026.
But not everyone’s convinced. Renato Moicano, another lightweight contender, doubts Pimblett can take down the Georgian-Spanish star. “It’s impossible. Technique-wise, it’s very hard,” Moicano told MMA Fighting.
Moicano went on, “Watch Topuria, man. Paddy can take a hit, sure, and he’s got jiu-jitsu and boxing. But he’s not very technical, not the most exciting to watch. He’s beating older guys, like Bobby Green. I’d like to see him take on Topuria, Charles Oliveira. Time will tell.”
Topuria, meanwhile, boasts an impressive 9-0 career. He’s claimed titles in two divisions with knockouts over big names like Volkanovski, Holloway, and Oliveira. Pimblett’s younger than most of his opponents, riding a 7-0 streak with wins over Chandler, Ferguson, and King Green.
Moicano thinks Pimblett beating Topuria would be a massive upset. “I saw Bisping beat Rockhold, Serra beat GSP, Weidman beat Silva. Upsets happen, man. I hope it does.”
Moicano himself was a huge underdog against Islam Makhachev, taking the fight on a day’s notice. He loves the idea of a Pimblett upset. “I’d be thrilled, brother. Imagine the best fighter losing to Pimblett? Absolute cinema. It’d be cool to see him become world champ.”