Upstart UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney called Paddy Pimblett out from the Octagon at UFC Vegas 59 following a first-round submission victory over Erick Gonzalez. However, on The MMA Hour, McKinney backtracked, claiming that the UFC would rather be careful in booking the star from Liverpool this early in his career. When asked about the likelihood of the fight taking place, he replied:
“Not very likely. Probably once we’re both ranked. He has to take the baby steps, you know? They’ve seen what I did to Drew [Dober]. Paddy, everything would be down, they’re losing money, then they’ve got to give me the money, which is even better. But they’re going to take their time on that.”
Terrance McKinney Backs Down on Pimblett Callout
McKinney promised that, should the pair face one another in the Octagon, he’d put Pimblett’s famous “Scousers don’t get knocked out” claim to the ultimate test. “Me putting him to sleep and showing people that Scousers can get knocked out. The fans are going to go crazy.”
McKinney was quick to praise Pimblett’s recent performances in the Octagon. His two most recent appearances at UFC London particularly earned McKinney’s respect.
“I think he did decent, but the kid knows how to finish a fight. He knows how to get creative. Even when he was down, he still came out crazy and he got it done. He knows how to get it done and as we know, I know how to get it done, so I know that’s going to be a fight that fans would never forget.”
As for his own next move, Terrance McKinney has a few names in mind. Although he’s on the way up, McKinney wants to take on someone with serious experience.
“I would love to fight Jim Miller or Bobby Green. It would just be an honor. Those guys are legends and I think that makes for an exciting fight.”
Paddy Pimblett is one of the hottest rising stars in the UFC. The Liverpool native’s on-camera charisma, floppy blond haircut and habit of ending fights early have earned him serious points among the MMA fanbase while bringing in new fans, particularly in the UK. His most recent fight was, like McKinney’s, a submission victory which saw Pimblett overcome serious adversity in the first round to deliver a rear naked choke win over Jordan Leavitt.
Do you think McKinney vs Pimblett is the future of the UFC lightweight division? Let us know what you think in the comments.
