EL CLASHICO

Ilia: I'll give Paddy a Real pasting

- GARY HITCHCOCK

ILIA TOPURIA has been on a winning run hotter than our heatwave - and he doesn’t expect to break sweat when he finally faces Paddy Pimblett.

The Spanish superstar became the 10th two-division king at UFC 317 in Las Vegas when he quickly KO'd ex-champ Charles Oliveira with a pinpoint right hand-left hook combo for the vacant lightweight title.

A cageside Pimblett was invited into the octagon after Real Madrid fan Topuria's victory, with the new champion eventually shoving the Scouser.

Fittingly, Liverpool fanatic Pimblett has been like a red rag to a bull to 'El Matador' ever since they bumped into each other at a London hotel before an 02 Arena card in 2022.