Latest news with #ChampionshipRounds
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paddy Pimblett Sets the Record Straight on UFC 319
Paddy Pimblett Sets the Record Straight on UFC 319 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The buzz coming out of UFC 317 hasn't slowed down. After Ilia Topuria's dominant performance in the main event, speculation over who might challenge him next has only intensified. Among the most talked-about names is Paddy Pimblett—who fans and fighters alike have mentioned as a potential next opponent. But in the midst of swirling rumors, Pimblett has now stepped forward to address whether he'll be part of the UFC 319 card. Advertisement Paddy Pimblett, 30, the outspoken British lightweight, has kept his name in headlines lately—whether it's by calling for a shot at Topuria or reacting to the latest rumor linking him to Justin Gaethje. Paddy PimblettGetty Images That buzz came directly from UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, who in a video captured by Ahmed Amwell and shared by Championship Rounds, claimed: 'It's gonna be a big card. The co-main event is Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje.' That hypothetical matchup instantly caught fire online. But Pimblett caught wind of the clip and quickly shut things down, posting to X: 'Yous are mad if you think I'm fighting in August.' With UFC 319 set for August, that rumor appears to be off the table—at least for now. While fight announcements can change quickly, it looks like Pimblett vs. Gaethje won't be happening at UFC 319. Until Ilia Topuria's next opponent is officially named, both Pimblett and Gaethje may remain in limbo, with fans left guessing what's truly next for each fighter. With both men linked to the champ, all eyes are on the UFC's next move. Advertisement Related: UFC Faces Pressure as Ilia Topuria's Next Opponent Narrowed to 3 Possibilities Related: Jake Paul Calls Out Dana White Over Fighter's Health Emergency: 'Where's the Help?' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC champ Ilia Topuria: Arman Tsarukyan 'much easier' fight than Paddy Pimblett
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria completely downplayed Arman Tsarukyan as a challenge. Out of the top lightweight contenders, many pundits believe Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is the sternest test to new champion Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), who insists that's not the case, and sees Paddy Pimblett (22-4 MMA, 7-0 UFC) as a bigger challenge. Topuria took aim at Tsarukyan for withdrawing from his lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev just one day before UFC 311 due to a back injury. "Tsarukyan is the easiest (fight) of them all, he's much easier than Paddy," Topuria said in a recent press conference (h/t Championship Rounds). "Much easier. I don't even know what to call him. Imagine having the opportunity to fight for the world title, and when the day comes, you pull out because your back hurts. I can't conceive it, I can't even understand it. I would have fought without an arm, I don't care. ... Clearly, mentally you aren't where you need to be." Tsarukyan put asterisks on Topuria's recent dominant run, which includes three-straight knockouts over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and most recently Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Although Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and Pimblett were all in attendance for Topuria's title-winning performance, it was Pimblett who got to face off with "El Matador." "He's just had easy fights in his career," Tsarukyan told ESPN MMA of Topuria. "He beat legit fighters, but not in their prime. If he met Volkanovski five years ago, Volkanovski would just eat him, but now Volkanovski is old. His chin is not there anymore."
NDTV
04-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
White House To Host UFC Fight: Inside Trump's 250th Independence Day Plans
As a part of celebrations to mark 250 years of American independence, next year, the White House will host a UFC bout, US President Donald Trump announced at a rally in Iowa on Thursday. "Every one of our national park battlefields and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of 'America250' and I even think we're going to have a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fight," Trump said on the eve of the Fourth July holiday. He said the event will boast an audience of 20,000-25,000. "It's going to be a championship fight, full fight, like 20,000 to 25,000 people and we're going to do that as part of '250' also," he said. 🇺🇸 President Donald Trump says he will host a UFC fight at the White House as part of the America 250 celebration 👀 "We're gonna have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House... championship fight." — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 4, 2025 Trump, being a friend of Dana White, the UFC president, said, "We are going to have some incredible events, some professional events, some amateur events." His links to the UFC dates back to 2001, when the Trump Taj Mahal, which is now closed, used to host UFC. Addressing the crowd at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Trump said, "Does anybody watch UFC? The great Dana White? We're going to have a UFC fight. We're going to have a UFC fight - think of this - on the grounds of the White House. We have a lot of land there." During Trump's presidential bid in 2016, White had endorsed him, calling him a "fighter" and after the assassination attempt on him, described him as a "tough guy" and "the legitimate, ultimate, American badass of all time". There will also be "the great American State Fair" among other celebrations, that will "bring America250 programming for fairgrounds across the country, culminating in a giant patriotic festival next summer on the National Mall, featuring exhibits from all 50 states," per Trump. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary said Trump is "dead serious" about the UFC fight plans, according to a White House pool report. Leavitt had also confirmed the plans on X, writing: "It's going to be EPIC!" It's going to be EPIC! — Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) July 4, 2025 According to a Truth Social post, Trump also plans to hold a "Signing Celebration" at the White House on Friday, the day he signs his One Big Beautiful Bill into law.
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arman Tsarukyan to Ilia Topuria: Running from the 'real contender' proves you're scared
Running from the real contender only proves one thing - you're scared. Deep down, you know exactly what happens if you ever step in there with me @Topuriailia Arman Tsarukyan thinks newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria wants no part of him. Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) captured the 155-pound title by knocking out Charles Oliveira in Saturday's UFC 317 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In attendance were Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and Paddy Pimblett, but it was Pimblett was called on to face off with Topuria in the octagon. Prior to beating Oliveira, Topuria said that despite Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) weighing in as the backup, he'd have to win one more fight before getting the title opportunity. "El Matador" took aim at Tsarukyan after his title-winning performance. "He looked scared," Topuria told ESPN Deportes of Tsarukyan (h/t Championship Rounds). "He had a look of shock on his face when he saw the knockout. He was like, 'I was going to be the replacement for this fight, thank God nothing happened to Charles because this could have been me.' He always makes weight when he knows he's not going to fight. But when he knows he's fighting, he tries to make weight and goes, 'Oh, my back!'" Tsarukyan fired back. "Running from the real contender only proves one thing - you're scared. Deep down, you know exactly what happens if you ever step in there with me @Topuriailia." Tsarukyan also took the opportunity to respond to Dan Hooker's callout. "On a side note, Dan Hooker is still a b*tch. Just thought that needed to be said." On a side note, Dan Hooker is still a bitch. Just thought that needed to be said.
Scottish Sun
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘Getting destroyed' – UFC 317 fans all say same thing as Ilia Topuria shows off ferocious power ahead of Oliveira fight
The Georgian-born Spaniard can join an elite club this weekend TOP GUN 'Getting destroyed' – UFC 317 fans all say same thing as Ilia Topuria shows off ferocious power ahead of Oliveira fight Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) UFC fans all said the same thing after getting a glimpse of Ilia Topuria's latest training footage. The Georgian-born Spaniard is just days away from throwing down with Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 in Las Vegas. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Ilia Topuria was looking SHARP in his open workout today 👀😳 🎥 @TheMacLife # — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 20, 2025 4 Ilia Topuria will look to claim the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 early on Sunday morning Credit: GETTY 4 The Georgian-born Spaniard will face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira Credit: GETTY 4 MMA fans were left blown away by Topuria's speed a precision in his open workout Credit: UFC Topuria, 28, will bid to become the tenth fighter in the history of MMA's top promotion to win titles in two divisions. And 'El Matador' looks to be in razor-sharp form ahead of Sunday morning's Sin City showdown. Footage of Topuria's recent open workout started doing the rounds on social last weekend. And scores of MMA fans couldn't help but voice their concerns for former 155lbs champ Oliveira after seeing Topuria obliterate the pads. One wrote on X: "Ilia Topuria hits like a f***ing truck." Another said: "Charles is getting destroyed, bro." And another said: "If that livershot hits, Charles is gonna p**s blood for one week." One remarked: "Poor Charles. Two rounds maximum. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 Ilia Topuria will bid to become a two-division champion at UFC 317 Credit: GETTY Another chimed in: "I dont think I've ever seen such power in such a small frame. "What most people dont realise is how good this guy is at energy management. Ilia Topuria Trains For UFC 317 Clash With Charles Oliveira "He has perfect control of his gas tank which is where many fighters fail. "I'm def punting a dollar or two for this guy to win it! What a specimen." Topuria vacated the featherweight title, which he won and defended against Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway respectively, earlier this year to pursue lightweight gold. And he plans to become a two-weight champion in devastating fashion. He said: "Charles is a great fighter. "I'd say he's a legendary fighter, one of the few still active in the UFC. "But the truth is that his style fits perfectly with mine to put him to sleep in the first round. "Because he has no mobility, he doesn't move."
