Paddy Pimblett is taking no prisoners when it comes to calling out his rumoured opponents.
While a big clash against Ilia Topuria is the aim for Pimblett, he will need to get through another ranked opponent to land his title shot.
‘The Baddy’ has proved the doubters wrong since his excellent stoppage of Michael Chandler at UFC 314 last April.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
No fight is confirmed yet, even if Dricus Du Plessis started a rumour of an August Paddy fight, it seems the aim is an Autumn bout before the Topuria clash.
Paddy Pimblett hails Justin Gaethje as legend but blasts Arman Tsarukyan
Matching the 30-year-old has clearly not proven tricky, as two lightweights are lined up and ready to step in the Octagon.
Justin Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan are the names touted to square off with the scouser, but to say the popular star is not fond of the latter fighter is an understatement.
Speaking to One on One MMA, he said: “I’d fight anyone, as you know I’m not a- – -d. Arman is a very good fighter, but no one cares about him, people just look at him and think you s- -t yourself to fighting Islam.
“You talk a big game but don’t back it up.”
It is clear that the Next Generation fighter doesn’t rate Khamzat Chimaev’s training partner Tsarukyan, who hasn’t fought since last year.
Gaethje, on the other hand, has all the respect of the prospect.
“But Justin Gaethje is a f- – -ing banger, everyone knows if you are fighting Gaethje you are going to have a fight,” Pimblett explained.
“You know he is a legend, and Arman isn’t, so I’d like to fight another legend in Justin Gaethje.”
Justin Gaethje would be ‘upset’ if the UFC asked him to fight Paddy Pimblett
While ‘The Highlight’ may be the route Dana White’s promotion wants to take, it’s safe to say the American fighter himself is not pleased with a potential Paddy fight.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, he revealed the reasons against fighting the rising mixed martial artist.
“Absolutely not (fighting Paddy Pimblett). If that’s the route that they want me to take, then I don’t believe that they need me anymore,” Gaethje said.
“I know that sounds petty or whatever, but I’m No. 3, I’m 3-1 in my last four, the champion (Islam Makhachev) was calling to fight me, and he vacated.
“For me to get put in the same position and fight for my spot, then I’m going to be upset about that.”
The 14-year professional bounced back from his now iconic knockout loss to Max Holloway with a decision win against Rafael Fiziev in March.
Now it seems the 36-year-old is ready to take on the best opposition out there in the form of the big punching Spaniard, a challenge most MMA competitors would not run towards.