“Cry me a river b*tch @PaddyTheBaddy”

– via X, firing back at Paddy Pimblett immediately after the UFC 324 pre fight press conference.

“It's Chubby Paddy fight week but I'm doing the press run. Wake up fata and get to work. It's not a good look for the UFC”

– via social media, mocking Paddy Pimblett’s perceived lack of media presence during the final buildup to UFC 324.

“They're both on the same level, they can do that. [They're] trash cans”

– via MMA Fighting and Shak MMA (January 10, 2026), dismissing the high—profile feud between Paddy Pimblett and Dan Hooker as a distraction between low—level competitors.

“They're both on the same level, they can do that. [They're] trash cans”

– via MMA Fighting and Shak MMA (January 10, 2026), dismissing the high—profile feud between Paddy Pimblett and Dan Hooker as a distraction between low—level competitors.

“Paddy cannot beat [Charles] Oliveira, he cannot beat even [Dan] Hooker. He cannot beat [Dustin] Poirier, he cannot beat [Justin] Gaethje. He cannot beat [Max] Holloway, he cannot beat me. If he is gonna beat Gaethje, then I am going to say ‘this guy is good”

– via Daniel Cormier podcast, questioning Paddy Pimblett's ranking elevation following his victory over Michael Chandler.

“He fought Volkanovski, who'd already been knocked out, been through so much. Holloway, he's basically just fighting for the money. I think if he gets past me and Islam, then he'll truly be one of the best fighters of all time”

– questions Ilia's greatness via Championat

“honestly, both[Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker] of them are easy money for me.”

– Via Ariel Helwani YT Channel

“Gaethje knows he could lose to me that's why he said no to fight me”

– Via Ariel Helwani YT Channel

“Hopefully I go and beat Hooker, perform very well, finish him, show my level, and after that get my title fight in January or February”

– Via Ariel Helwani YT Channel

“Khamzat wants to come and help me, but I'm saying Khamzat, your weight, your weight is like more than 200 lb. You're going to hurt me. No, no, no. He's going to come and help me. And he has always asked me like when should I come and if you need sparring partners, just let me know. I'm going to send everybody from Chechnya to help you.”

– Via Ariel Helwani YT channel

“He picks up some random sparring partners, drops them, and everyone thinks he's some supernatural fighter. If you bring him to Chechnya or Dagestan, to any gym, even an amateur there would take him down and finish him.”