Ignacio Bahamondes wants one more fight in 2022, but he’s in need of a dance partner.
The UFC lightweight prospect is ready to face anyone put in front of him. And if you weren’t careful, you might’ve thought he was fighting Paddy Pimblett in December.
Last week, an online troll pretended to be reporter Marcel Dorff with a fake account and inaccurately reported a fight between Bahamondes (13-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and Pimblett for Dec. 10 on the UFC’s final pay-per-view of the year – UFC 282. The fake tweet caught traction online, fooling many, including Bahamondes’ entourage.
“I was in Chile before coming here (to the U.S.), and I was taking a nap,” Bahamondes told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Then all of a sudden my phone goes off, and it keeps going and going. And I was like, ‘What is happening? What happened?’ Then all my friends and coaches were texting me, ‘Hey, you’re fighting Pimblett? Why didn’t you say anything?’ I was like, ‘I had no idea, but if that’s what it is, then let’s go. Let’s go. I love it.”‘
The tweet was subsequently reported and taken down, but it left many with the desire to see the fight actually materialize. Bahamondes is not one to call out his opponents, but he’d definitely be interested in fighting the rising British star.
Bahamondes was scheduled to return to the octagon in August for what would’ve been his second fight of the year, but visa issues canceled it. He was forced to return to Chile to renew his visa and is now back in the U.S. awaiting a bout.
The 25-year-old is hoping to leave 2022 with at least two fights under his belt. He’d like to face Pimblett on Dec. 10 but doubt he accepts.
“I’m not a fighter that likes to talk a lot, but I think Pimblett doesn’t want to see me yet,” Bahamondes said. “Not yet. I think he sees me and says, ‘No, let’s save him for later.’ But if the opportunity does present itself, I’ll be happy.
“Unfortunately for him, my style is his kryptonite. But whatever the UFC and my teams wants. I’m here to fight. All the name stuff is just hype. It’s just hype. I truly, truly don’t think he’s really shown who he is. He hasn’t been tested like you should be tested. So I don’t care about his name, zero. But if they put the contract in front of me, I’ll sign that in a heartbeat. I could add more fans from the U.K.”
