“What the fuck was that game plan?” - Topuria enemy lays into Oliveira’s UFC 317 strategy
In an interview on the Verse Us podcast, Paddy Pimblett was hugely critical of fellow UFC fighter Charles Oliveira.
Paddy Pimblett didn’t hold back in his criticism of Charles Oliveira following the Brazilian’s swift defeat to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 on Saturday.
‘El Matador’ landed a clean right hook to Oliveira’s head in the first round, ending the fight in emphatic fashion and leaving many questioning the former lightweight champion’s fight strategy - including Pimblett.
“It blew my mind that, how stupid he could be”
Speaking on the latest episode of the Verse Us podcast, the British fighter expressed confusion over Oliveira’s approach and even went as far as to say he looked like “an amateur,” despite his 47 professional fights and reign as UFC lightweight champion from 2021 to 2022.
“I really like Charles, but what the fuck was that game plan, lad?” Pimblett said. “Standing in front of him and getting punched in the face?”
The 30-year-old added: “I’d love to know what their game plan was - it was half-embarrassing […]
“What are you doing just standing in the middle and just swinging punches with him, when he’s a top-class boxer and he’s got power? It blew my mind that, how stupid he could be. That was his 47th pro fight and he was going in there like an amateur.”
Who will Pimblett fight next in UFC?
After the fight, Pimblett confronted Topuria and teased a potential future matchup. However, ‘The Baddy’ admitted he’s currently walking around at 195 pounds, making a lightweight bout with Topuria unlikely.
Since joining the UFC in 2021, Pimblett has remained undefeated under Dana White’s promotion, with wins over Luigi Vendramini, Kazula Vargas, Jordan Leavitt, Jared Gordon, Tony Ferguson, Bobby Green, and Michael Chandler.
That streak could be tested soon. Rumors have swirled about a possible August showdown with Justin Gaethje at UFC 319, although Pimblett has dismissed the speculation, saying he’s not ready to return to the Octagon that soon.
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