Paddy Pimblett should respect Jared Gordon, avoid letting plans of finishing confuse him, says Daniel Cormier
The esteemed UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier has shared his thoughts on Paddy Pimblett's recent challenge for a rematch against Jared Gordon.
While acknowledging Pimblett's potential, Daniel Cormier cautioned the young fighter against underestimating Gordon and allowing his desire to finish the fight cloud his judgment. Cormier emphasized that Gordon is a skilled and experienced fighter who cannot be underestimated. He advised Paddy Pimblett to approach the rematch with caution and not let his eagerness to secure a win prevent him from executing a well-rounded game plan.
During a recent analysis video on his YouTube channel, 'DC' stated:
"He [Paddy Pimblett] acted as if it wasn't even competitive, hey hindsight is I don't know if it's 50-50 or some sh*t people say in the world. He almost dismissed Gordon right like, Gordon wasn't on his level. And now he's saying he's going to get him out there very early. I think the approach maybe needs to change a little, bit to where he respects Gordon a little bit more."
He added:
"I'm not saying fear him, I'm not saying be hesitant in your approach against him. I'm saying respect him to the point that you don't suffer from maybe having an expectation."
Check out the entire remarks below (from 7:33mins onwards):
Paddy Pimblett emerged victorious over Jared Gordon at UFC 282, but the outcome of the fight was subject to much controversy. A significant number of fans and fellow fighters believe that 'Flash' should have been declared the winner. In light of this, 'The Baddy' has issued a challenge to Gordon, calling for a rematch to settle the score.
Pimblett's call-out came during a time of recovery for the Liverpudlian, as he was recuperating from surgery in a hospital bed. Despite the setback, he made it clear that he was not deterred by his injury and was eager to take on Gordon again to prove himself as the superior fighter.
Check out the rising lightweight's recent call out:
Jared Gordon reacts to Paddy Pimblett's plea for a rematch
Despite losing to Paddy Pimblett in a controversial unanimous decision at UFC 282 in December 2022, Jared Gordon has refused to make any excuses for his defeat. The fight was one of the most contentious decisions in recent UFC history, with many observers feeling that Gordon should have been awarded the victory.
The co-main event at UFC 282 garnered widespread attention, with Pimblett remaining unbeaten in the UFC and claiming the win over 'Flash' in a close and hard-fought match. However, the outcome was not without its detractors, with many pundits questioning the judges' decision and expressing their disagreement with the result.
The 34-year-old mixed martial artist disclosed his own challenges during the fight and stated:
"Funny thing is going into this fight I had an ankle injury as well, documented by UFC. I couldnât walk for weeks after our fight too. I get why heâs angry. He knows I won. Like the rest of the worldâŚ"