Ilia Topuria predicts how 'easy fight' with Paddy Pimblett would end

Newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett's rivalry dates back years. Now that they're in the same weight class, the two seem to be on a collision course. 

Following his UFC 317 championship win over former titleholder Charles Oliveira, Pimblett entered the cage to face-off with "El Matador." The two exchanged insults and it ended with Topuria shoving Pimblett. It's a fight Topuria would love to have booked. 

"With Paddy, all the fans around the world, they want to see that fight. At the same time, I have to be honest, I think it's one of the easiest fights that I could have in the lightweight division," Topuria told TMZ Sports.

"I can do with him whatever I want to do in reality. It's a very exciting fight for the fans. I'm going to enjoy a lot, the whole process. At the same time, it's a fight where I'm going to be able to shine once again." 

Needless to say, Topuria believes he matches up extremely well against "The Baddy." Like heading into the UFC 317 title bout with Oliveira, Topuria believes he'd finish Pimblett in the first round.  

"I promise you, I could like choose the way I want to finish (Pimblett)," Topuria said. "He's not going to stay there for more than one round with me. I don't know. Maybe it's going to be cool to submit him in the ground with a triangle choke from the mount. Something like that. As I told him, put my (balls) on his forehead."

Pimblett last fought at UFC 314 in April, dominating former title challenger Michael Chandler. He secured a third-round submission victory. 

It was the biggest win of Pimblett's career, but Topuria wasn't impressed. "I just saw the average level of competition in that fight," Topuria said.