Paddy Pimblett calls out Islam Makhachev: "We're coming brother"
UFC lightweight rising star Paddy Pimblett has a message for his division's reigning king, Islam Makhachev. The outspoken Englishman is coming off a massive win over Bobby King Green at UFC 304 late last month. This victory officially put him in the top 15 of his division.
Needless to say, This puts Paddy 'The Baddy' in the radar of UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev. At UFC Abu Dhabi earlier this month, Makhachev was asked about Pimblett's rise in the ranks, and what he thinks of his match-up with the Scouser.
Makhachev said:
"When he [Pimblett] deserves, why not. If he [wins] the next couple of [matches]. When he's gonna be like, top ten, why not. Because I don't have some exciting fights in my division. We need some new name."
As a reply to this, Pimblett posted a video on social media, saying:
"Do you see that where Islam [Makhachev] was talking about me the other day? He said, 'He's an exciting fighter' and that. 'If he keeps winning, you never know, he could fight for the belt' and that. You know, Islam. We're coming. We're coming, brother, we're coming."
Here's a video clip of Makhachev's statement edited with Pimblett's message, as posted by Championship Rounds on X:
Paddy Pimblett on Bobby King Green win: "I finished him a second faster than Islam Makhachev"
During his UFC 304 post-fight media scrum, Paddy Pimblett spoke about how satisfying it was to prove his naysayers wrong. His first-round submission win over Bobby King Green that night was something his detractors thought he'd have a hard time pulling off.
"I've seen it on YouTube. People talking sh*t. And then I just go out there and put on a flawless performance and absolutely schooled him [Green]. Everyone's talking like, all week it was 'oh Bobby's gonna dog walk Paddy, he's not gonna be able to get near him on the feet.'"
Paddy Pimblett added:
"I think he [Green] hit me in the stomach once. I didn't get it. Like, I'm fresh as a daisy. And then I caught him in a sub and no one's subbed him since January 2009. I saw a funny little stat there as well. My coaches just said that I finished him a second faster than Islam Makhachev (laughs)."
Here's a video of the interview as posted by MMA Crazy on YouTube: