One of the most highly anticipated fighters in the UFC will make his promotional debut this weekend at UFC Fight Night 191. Paddy Pimblett, former Cage Warriors champion and motormouth, intends on making a serious splash in the world’s biggest mixed martial arts promotion.
Addressing the assembled press ahead of his debut this weekend, Pimblett made his intentions clear. “All the proper UFC officials are here and all the head honchos. They all want to see the new cash cow, their new main man. I’m here to headlock Dana and Hunter and Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard. Yes, I’m going to get them all in a headlock later and let them know who the new kid on the block is.”
Paddy Pimblett Plans to Deliver Stunning UFC Debut: “I’m here to headlock Dana and Hunter and Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard”
The UFC have courted Pimblett for years, but each time the young Englishman didn’t feel he was ready for the big time. “It was always meant to be, wasn’t it?
Everyone knew I’d eventually end up being here so it wasn’t a question of ‘if’ I was going to be in the UFC, it was ‘when.’ The time has finally arrived. I’m here and I’m here to make a statement and let everyone know who the boy is.
I’m a marketer’s wet dream!” Pimblett believes his athleticism and abilities have far outstripped those of his younger self.
“When they first offered it to me in 2016, I was still fighting at featherweight. I was still very immature. I wasn’t professional at all, still a child partying all the time. When they offered it to me again in 2018, I turned them down the second time.
I wasn’t even a proper lightweight then. I was still a boy fighting men. I didn’t even have a proper [strength and conditioning] regime.
I’ve got a ridiculous S&C coach now, Paul Reed. Youse will see on Saturday night the physique of me. I’m a different animal because of him. I’m an absolutely different breed.
I’m a specimen now. Back then, I was just a fighter.
I was going off heart and skills and talent. Now, I’m an athlete. It’s going to be unbelievable Saturday night when I put it on Luigi and go home with a nice bonus.”
Pimblett is a fan favorite at home in England, particularly in his native Liverpool. However, he’s happy to be fighting in Vegas, and if he delivers on his promise to be “the new face of this sport”, Pimblett will have plenty of opportunities to fight at home. “It’s cool to be in Vegas, obviously.
I did want it to be obviously in London. It would’ve been nice. It would’ve been unbelievable energy walking out to my walkout. The crowd would’ve went bananas. But being here is great. I can’t wait to go to the PI later. That would be the first ever time I’ve been.”
Do you see Pimblett delivering on the hype, or is he just another overconfident youngster? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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