Paddy Pimblett’s “Collector’s Item” Post Backfires as Alleged Real Buyer Responds
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Paddy Pimblett’s post involving a red UFC corner stool sparked questions about whether he actually purchased the item connected to Ilia Topuria’s UFC Freedom 250 fight.
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A piece of memorabilia from UFC Freedom 250 has unexpectedly added another chapter to the rivalry between Paddy Pimblett and former lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Pimblett recently posted a photograph of himself alongside a red UFC corner stool, captioning the image “Collector’s item.” The timing and presentation led many followers to believe that Pimblett had purchased the event-used stool associated with Topuria’s championship loss to Justin Gaethje.
That assumption was quickly challenged by a woman identifying herself as Jessica, who published a video displaying what she claimed were purchase records and shipping information from the UFC collectibles store. She said she was the successful buyer and had intentionally purchased the stool to prevent Pimblett, or another critic of Topuria, from using the item to mock the former champion.
Neither the UFC nor its official collectibles division has publicly confirmed the identity of the buyer. Pimblett’s original caption also did not explicitly state that he had purchased the official event-used stool.
For that reason, claims that Pimblett lied about purchasing the item remain an interpretation of his social-media post rather than a confirmed statement from the fighter.
The Stool’s Connection to UFC Freedom 250
The red corner stool became a recognizable part of UFC Freedom 250 after Topuria’s lightweight championship fight against Gaethje on June 14, 2026.
According to the UFC’s official result, Gaethje defeated Topuria by technical knockout due to a corner stoppage at the end of the fourth round. The victory made Gaethje the undisputed UFC lightweight champion and handed Topuria the first defeat of his professional career.
Topuria had nearly finished Gaethje during a strong second round, attacking the body and pursuing submissions after taking the fight to the canvas. Gaethje recovered and took control during the following rounds, repeatedly landing damaging punches as swelling and visible injuries accumulated around Topuria’s face.
A doctor examined Topuria before the fourth round and permitted the fight to continue. The contest was ultimately stopped after Topuria returned to his corner following the round. The UFC officially recorded the ending as a corner stoppage rather than simply describing Topuria as quitting.
The stool was reportedly used by multiple fighters assigned to the red corner during the event, meaning it represented more than Topuria’s final moments in the championship fight. However, its connection to the conclusion of the main event turned it into one of the most discussed collectibles from the historic White House card.
Pimblett and Topuria Rivalry Remains Active
The photograph attracted immediate attention because Pimblett and Topuria have exchanged insults and discussed fighting one another throughout their respective rises in the lightweight division.
Pimblett’s connection to the current title picture also runs directly through Gaethje. The Liverpool fighter lost a competitive five-round decision to Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324. Gaethje then defeated Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 to become the undisputed champion.
Before competing at UFC 329, Pimblett told UFC.com that Topuria remained among the major opponents he wanted to face. Pimblett argued that his performance against Gaethje demonstrated that he belonged among the lightweight division’s leading contenders, particularly after Gaethje went on to stop Topuria.
That background made the stool photograph appear to be more than an ordinary memorabilia post. Whether Pimblett intended to convince people that he owned the original stool or simply wanted to provoke Topuria and his supporters, the post succeeded in renewing attention around their rivalry.
More Trolling Than Confirmed Controversy
The available information does not establish that Pimblett formally claimed ownership of the authentic UFC Freedom 250 stool. His brief caption left enough room for followers to reach that conclusion, but it also allowed the fighter to treat the image as another piece of calculated social-media trolling.
The woman disputing the apparent claim presented what she said was evidence of her purchase, but that information has not been independently authenticated by the UFC.
Until the promotion or its collectibles partner confirms the winning bidder, the most accurate conclusion is that Pimblett’s implied ownership has been challenged, not definitively disproven through an official announcement.
The unusual dispute will not affect the lightweight rankings, but it demonstrates why a future fight between Pimblett and Topuria would require little promotional assistance. Even a corner stool connected to another fighter’s championship victory was enough to reignite one of the division’s most marketable personal rivalries.
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