Paddy Pimblett has never been one to bite his tongue, and fight week at UFC 329 hasn’t changed that.
Speaking at media day “The Baddy” doubled down on his belief that losing to Justin Gaethje actually earned him more respect than his seven-fight UFC winning streak, ripped Arman Tsarukyan for his lack of activity, and explained why he doesn’t need fake trash talk to get fired up for Benoit Saint-Denis.
“Don’t go to war with Justin Gaethje,” Pimblett told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“You’re more than likely going to lose. I got wrote off after that. Everyone said I got beat by an old man and then he goes and does that to Ilia (Topuria) and all of the sudden he’s the best thing since sliced bread. Just shows how the goal posts get moved constantly.”
Love him or hate him, Pimblett isn’t making excuses for the loss to Gaethje. In fact, he believes getting beat by the now-undisputed lightweight champion actually did more for his reputation than rattling off seven straight UFC wins ever did.
“I said that after I fought him. I got more respect for losing a fight than I did for winning seven-in-a-row in the UFC. Shows how mad our fan base is, don’t it,” he said.
“Obviously with him winning and becoming undisputed champion it looks good for me. I said he was going to beat Ilia Topuria. I said it was fate that he beat me. It was his destiny. He’s going to win the title at the White House, and I was just in the way.”
Pimblett didn’t hold back when discussing Tsarukyan’s place in the lightweight title picture, arguing that the former title challenger needs to get back to competing before talking about championship opportunities. The Liverpool native took aim at Tsarukyan’s inactivity in typically blunt fashion.
“He needs to fight though. He’s only had one fight in three years and he beat an absolute bum. He needs to actually fight. Not go around in a singlet tickling people,” he said.
“Anyone. Just fight someone, know what I mean? Get in the octagon and actually fight. Stop going around on your private jet, eating food.”
While some fighters thrive on pre-fight trash talk, Pimblett said he has no issue keeping things respectful if that’s the direction his opponent prefers. The Liverpool native says he’s happy to match whatever energy Saint-Denis brings to fight week.
“I’m all for anything. If someone wants to start something, I’ll finish it, but if you want to be cordial and have no beef, then I don’t mind,” said Pimblett.
Watch the entire media day scrum with Paddy Pimblett above. He faces Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329 on Saturday night.
