If Rafael dos Anjos wants to catch Paddy Pimblett’s hands, the Liverpudlian fan favorite is more than willing to oblige.
‘The Baddy’ scored the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career at UFC 296, earning a unanimous decision victory over former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson as part of the promotion’s final event of the year. However, not everyone was impressed with Pimblett’s performance. Taking to social media, ‘RDA’ sarcastically praised the scouser before suggesting that he could beat Pimblett without the need of a training camp.
You guys didn’t get the joke. Pimblett is terrible. I would beat this kid without a fight camp
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) December 17, 2023
Speaking to media members at the UFC 296 post-fight press event, Pimblett was surprised to hear that dos Anjos had called him out, especially when he already has a fight lined up with Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 299 in March.
“What the f*ck is he mentioning me for then? Stupid bastard,” Pimblett said. “Focus on who you’ve got to fight. But, yeah, everybody’s going to mention me, aren’t they? And it’s just because of like, the little thing around me name and the fact that I’ve got so many followers.”
Pimblett then quickly changed his tone, putting some respect on the former titleholder’s name whilst making it clear that if RDA wants to throw down inside the Octagon, they can make it happen.
“That’s what it is, but as I say, I wouldn’t disrespect RDA,” Pimblett added. “He’s a former champ, one of the future legends of the sport. But he’s another one that’s getting a bit old now. And if he wants me to take him out, I will.”
Paddy Pimblett fires back at "stupid bastard" Rafael dos Anjos.
"He's another one getting a bit older now, and if he wants me to take him out, I will." pic.twitter.com/3qc3TjMAXJ
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 17, 2023
Paddy Pimblett Believes Only Tony Ferguson Knows When It Is Time to Retire
Following his seventh straight loss at UFC 296, everyone from fans, fighters, and even UFC Dana White is urging Tony Ferguson to hang up his gloves for good. Asked if he believes it’s time for ‘El Cucuy’ to walk away from the sport, Pimblett said that there is only one man who can make that decision, and it’s not him.
“It’s mad the way people are telling him to retire,” Pimblett said. “It’s the person’s decision who’s fighting of when they want to retire. No one will ever tell me when to retire. It’s my decision. If Tony wants to keep getting in there and fighting, he can. I think if you put him in there against someone lower in the division, like a Mark O. Madsen or Drakkar Klose or someone like that, he beats them.”
Ferguson has already debunked any potential rumors that he would retire following yet another loss inside the Octagon
“He survived. He’s one of the toughest men out there, and hat’s off to him,” Pimblett said. “He’s an absolute legend. As I said before, no one should tell that man to retire. He can retire on his own back when he wants to.”
Watch Paddy Pimblett’s full post-fight press conference appearance below:
