UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett has criticized former champion Charles Oliveira’s performance against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317. He questioned the Brazilian’s approach in the match as Oliveira suffered from a first-round knockout loss.
Speaking on the Verse Us podcast, Pimblett expressed bewilderment at Oliveira’s strategy against Topuria. “I really like Charles, but what the f*** was that gameplan, lad?” Pimblett said. “Stand in front of him and get punched in the face.”
The Liverpool native acknowledged that Oliveira started with promising tactics in the opening moments of the fight. “First 20 seconds he did a little bit, teeped him, leg kicked, and I was thinking, oh, we could be in for a tough night for Topuri,” Pimblett noted.
However, Pimblett observed that Oliveira quickly abandoned this cautious approach after taking a hit, which proved to be a critical mistake. “Charles got it once and just started swinging with him,” he explained.
The 30-year-old rising star also revealed he spotted concerning signs before the bout even began. “When he was walking out, I did turn to Graham and say, he looks nervous. And when Ilia walked out, he was just smiling.”
Pimblett didn’t mince words about the quality of Oliveira’s performance, calling it “half embarrassing” and questioning the logic behind standing toe-to-toe with a renowned power puncher like Topuria.
“What are you doing just standing in the middle, swinging punches with him when he’s a top-class boxer and he’s got power?” Pimblett asked.
Pimblett’s also talked about how Oliveira’s experience seemed to abandon him in such a crucial moment. “It just blew my mind how stupid he could be after his 47th pro fight, and he was going in there like an amateur,” he concluded.
Recently, there has been speculations about a potential showdown between Pimblett and newly-crowned lightweight champion Topuria.
Paddy has a well-documented rivalry with Topuria. Following his victory over Oliveira, Topuria and Pimblett engaged in a heated face-off, suggesting their feud may soon be settled in the octagon.
