Paddy Pimblett has the biggest fight of his career in his sights.
It’s been one full year since Liverpool, England’s “Baddy” stepped foot inside the Octagon. In the process of picking up his unanimous decision win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282 in December 2022, Pimblett worsened a bad lower leg injury that required surgery and shelved him for 2023. All healed up and ready to go, Pimblett returns to face an all-time great at 155 pounds, Tony Ferguson.
As each prepares for the bout, they look to extend and snap streaks as Pimblett has won his last six fights while Ferguson has lost his last six. Despite the downward trend of “El Cucuy,” Pimblett envisions the best version of the one-time interim Lightweight titleholder in the Octagon with him come fight night.
“I really respect Tony Ferguson,” Pimblett told TNT Sports. “He’s one of the top five Lightweights of all time. Who wasn’t [a fan]? Even I want Tony Ferguson to get a win and then retire. I just can’t let him do it at my expense, lad. It’s not happening.
“I’m going in there expecting an ‘El Cucuy’ that turned up against Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis,” he continued. “I’m not going in there expecting the slow version that turned up against Bobby Green. I’m expecting the best version of Tony. It’s gonna be an absolute honor to share the cage with him.”
Ferguson’s last victories came in 2018 and 2019, respectively, against Pettis and Cerrone, who he finished each via strikes at the end of round two by doctor stoppages. The 39-year-old veteran’s last time out came opposite Green, losing via third round arm triangle choke (watch highlights) at UFC 291 in July 2023.
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