Paddy Pimblett is still holding out hope he gets to fight Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight title.
“The Baddy” recently visited Las Vegas to cheer on teammate Nathan Fletcher at UFC Vegas 108 — a fight Fletcher lost to Rinya Nakamura in the first round. Prior to heading home, Pimblett provided an update on where things are with a potential fight with Topuria after facing off following the new lightweight champion’s knockout win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
“All I kept being asked [while I was in Las Vegas] was ‘Who are you fighting? When are you fighting Ilia?,’” Pimblett said on his YouTube channel. “I have no idea. Hopefully, it is going to be me vs. the chorizo next, and I think that’s what all the Americans want.
“Because every American I’ve bumped into keeps saying, ‘When are you going to smash that sausage’s head in?’ I’m hoping that that gets sorted.”
Pimblett is coming off of the biggest win of his career, stopping Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in April. The rising star is undefeated in the UFC, which also includes wins against King Green and former interim champ Tony Ferguson.
Arman Tsarukyan is hoping for his chance to fight for the title after being forced to withdraw from the UFC 311 main event against Islam Makhachev. Pimblett, as expected, doesn’t feel Tsarukyan deserves that opportunity over him.
“But I understand that I’m ranked No. 9, or something, so other people probably are more deserving but posh boy definitely isn’t,” Pimblett said. “Little rich boy Arman showing how desperate he is, offering him a million pounds to fight him. Spoiled rich baby trying to pay their way out of things, that’s why he quit when he was making weight in a bath like a little bitch.
“Arman’s irrelevant, no one cares about him.”
The other name in the conversation is Justin Gaethje, who has publicly discussed feeling disrespected by the UFC and wanting one final championship opportunity.
Gaethje also recently said he wouldn’t be interesting in fighting Pimblett, especially since he could get the chance to fight Topuria for the belt. Pimblett would certainly be down to face Gaethje, and addressed “The Highlight,” as well as another fighter in the division.
“As I always say, I have nothing but respect for Justin, but I keep seeing in interviews him saying he doesn’t want to fight me,” Pimblett explained. “I think the only fight to make is me and Ilia.
“[I’ve] seen Dan Hooker talking shit the other day, as well. I used to like Dan Hooker. Now he can eat shit.”
