Mixed-martial-arts contender Paddy Pimblett has sharply criticised former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira for the strategy he employed in last weekend’s UFC 317 defeat to Ilia Topuria. Speaking on the “Verse Us” podcast, Pimblett said he was “mind-blown” that Oliveira, making his 47th professional appearance, chose to exchange punches at close range instead of relying on kicks and grappling, calling the approach “embarrassing” and “amateur.” Oliveira was knocked out inside the opening three minutes after Topuria landed a right-hook–left-hand combination. Pimblett, who entered the cage for a post-fight face-off with Topuria, said the bout reinforced his belief that a larger, more tactical fighter could trouble the Georgian-Spanish striker and reiterated his interest in meeting Topuria next.