Paddy Pimblett Stunned by Charles Oliveira’s Approach Against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317

The UFC lightweight division is still buzzing after Ilia Topuria’s dominant performance against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. While fans expected a competitive battle between the featherweight champion moving up and the former lightweight king, what we got instead left many, including rising star Paddy Pimblett, completely shocked.

I’ve been following Oliveira’s career for years, and like many fighters in the division, I’ve studied his approach meticulously. So when “The Baddy” shared his thoughts on this fight, it caught my attention immediately.

Pimblett’s Surprising Take on Oliveira’s Performance

Paddy Pimblett, never one to hold back his opinions, recently expressed his disbelief at how Charles Oliveira approached his fight against Ilia Topuria. Despite being a self-proclaimed fan of “Do Bronx,” Pimblett couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“I’m a massive Charles fan, but what was that game plan?” Pimblett said during a recent interview. “It looked like he completely abandoned what makes him special. Where was the pressure? Where were the knees in the clinch? The submission attempts off his back? It was shocking to watch someone so talented look so hesitant.”

What made this observation particularly interesting is that Pimblett himself has been studying Oliveira’s style as a blueprint for success in the lightweight division. Both fighters share similarities in their willingness to engage in firefights while maintaining dangerous submission threats.

Where Did Oliveira Go Wrong?

According to “The Baddy,” Oliveira’s biggest mistake was fighting Topuria’s fight instead of imposing his own will.

“Charles has the most submissions in UFC history for a reason,” Pimblett explained. “But against Topuria, he barely attempted to get the fight to the ground. He stood in the pocket with one of the most dangerous punchers in the division and paid the price.”

The numbers back up Pimblett’s assessment:

The Mental Game: Where Was Oliveira’s Confidence?

What struck me most watching the fight was Oliveira’s body language. This wasn’t the same confident fighter who walked through Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. Pimblett noticed the same thing.

“It looked like he didn’t believe in himself,” Pimblett observed. “The Charles I know walks forward, takes a hit to give one back, and isn’t afraid to get into a scrap. Against Topuria, he looked like he was second-guessing every move.”

This hesitation played directly into Topuria’s hands, who needed just 2:32 of the first round to finish the former champion.

What This Means for Both Fighters’ Futures

For Topuria, this win establishes him as a legitimate two-division threat. But for Oliveira, questions now loom large about his path forward.

Pimblett, despite his criticism, remains optimistic about Oliveira’s future: “One bad night doesn’t erase what he’s accomplished. Charles is still one of the most dangerous fighters in the world when he fights like himself.”

Could we eventually see a Pimblett vs. Oliveira matchup? It’s not outside the realm of possibility, especially if “The Baddy” continues his winning ways.

“I’d be honored to share the octagon with Charles someday,” Pimblett admitted. “But I’d hope to face the real version of him, not what we saw against Topuria.”

The Lightweight Division Shuffle

This result has significant implications for the entire division. With Oliveira falling out of immediate title contention and Topuria likely returning to defend his featherweight belt, the lightweight landscape remains as unpredictable as ever.

For fighters like Pimblett, who are working their way up the rankings, this shake-up could present new opportunities. The division is in flux, and impressive performances could fast-track rising stars into bigger fights.

What’s Next for Paddy Pimblett?

While discussing Oliveira’s performance, Pimblett also dropped hints about his own upcoming plans. The Liverpool native has been steadily building his UFC resume and seems poised for a step up in competition.

“I’m ready for a ranked opponent next,” Pimblett stated confidently. “I’ve been working on my game, and I think people will be surprised at how much I’ve improved.”

Could Pimblett eventually find himself on a collision course with either Topuria or Oliveira? Time will tell, but one thing’s for certain: “The Baddy” is watching the division’s elite closely and taking notes on what not to do when his big opportunity arrives.

Lessons for All Fighters

If there’s one takeaway from Oliveira’s performance that Pimblett emphasized, it’s the importance of fighting to your strengths.

“The moment you abandon what got you to the dance, you’re in trouble,” Pimblett said. “I think Charles tried to reinvent himself for one fight, and it backfired. When I get my shot against the top guys, you better believe I’m going to be the same Paddy I’ve always been—just a better version.”

For fans of both fighters, this honest assessment from Pimblett offers a fascinating glimpse into the mindset of UFC competitors and how they view each other’s performances.

What do you think about Paddy’s comments? Did Oliveira abandon his game plan, or was Topuria simply the better fighter that night? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: Paddy Pimblett interview comments following UFC 317