Paddy Pimblett says he'll be open to fighting 'big' Conor McGregor at welterweight
Paddy Pimblett is opening up on the possibility of fighting Conor McGregor when he returns to the UFC.
While speaking with ESPN MMA's Marc Raimondi, Paddy Pimblett was asked whether he'd be interested in a bout with McGregor at some point. He mentioned that a bout with the former two-division UFC champion would be massive for the UFC from a business standpoint, saying:
"It would be the biggest pay-per-view that the UFC has ever seen like put it that way, goes without saying. But I think when Conor comes back, he'll be fighting at 170(lbs). He'll struggle to make 155(lbs) now to be honest."
'The Baddy' also mentioned that because 'Mystic Mac' is much larger, a potential bout between the two would likely be contested at welterweight. If the bout were to be contested at 170lbs, Pimblett added that he would happily accept as he believes it would be crazy to turn it down:
"He's looking big. But I respect Conor you know what I mean. What he's done for this sport, he's done a lot more than most of the people that've done this sport and I think he gets a bad rep like he doesn't get the respect that he deserves..."
In regards to fighting McGregor at 170, Paddy Pimblett said:
"Heck yeah, get that paper, you know that...no brainer you know what I mean, anybody that say no to fight Conor is an idiot, simple as that."
Although a potential McGregor fight could be appealing in the future, 'The Baddy' is focused on Jared Gordon, who he fights in the co-main event at UFC 283 on December 10. It will be interesting to see how he performs, considering it will be the first time competing on a UFC pay-per-view and is arguably the most popular fighter competing at the event.
Check out the full video:
Paddy Pimblett interested in attending an AEW event
Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Paddy Pimblett fire shots at each other, Conor McGregor chimes in 🔥👀
#UFC #MMA | @TheNotoriousMMA @The_MJF https://t.co/ihRN0E0SUf
As Paddy Pimblett continues to gain popularity and a larger following, it's understandable why others will call him out.
Most recently, Jake Paul offered 'The Baddy' a $1 million to spar with him in 5 three-minute rounds of boxing, and if the UFC star loses then he'd have to join 'The Problem Child's Fighters Association.
Another callout that Pimblett received came from the world of pro wrestling as current AEW World champion MJF after he mentioned that pro wrestling is more difficult than MMA. The two then went back-and-forth on social media and 'The Baddy' told ESPN MMA's Marc Raimondi that fans could perhaps see him appear at AEW's first-ever UK event in 2023.