Paddy Pimblett may have a fight for the UFC's major card in the UK next year, with lightweight Matt Frevola calling him out after his win at UFC 281.
Frevola handed the unbeaten Ottmain Azaitar a surprising first loss when he landed a close-range right hand in the clinch that opened the undefeated lightweight up for a left hand that stopped the show. And he used his opportunity on the microphone with Joe Rogan after the fight to call for a meeting with Pimblett in London next year.
The Scouse fighter is set to face Jared Gordon next month at UFC 282, but is already being eyed up for a spot on the undercard of Leon Edward's homecoming title defence in 2023. The promotion are keen to have Edwards rematch Kamaru Usman next year, and will likely want fan favourites such as Pimblett to strengthen the event.
And Frevola made his case for the fight after beating Azaitar to land his fourth win inside the octagon, telling Pimblett that he better beat Gordon to set up a clash between the pair. "Paddy the Baddy better win that fight," he said. "Because me and Paddy in London? That's the fight to make!"
And speaking with the media after the bout, Frevola reiterated that callout by saying "this is definitely the best moment of my career but every next moment is the best. The moment before this one was the best and when I knock out Paddy in London it will be the best moment again."
Pimblett faces a difficult test in Vegas against Gordon, who has been in the cage with the likes of Charles Oliveira during his career. But Frevola is keen on making the fight happen in the UK next year regardless of the result, explaining that he simply wants to fight someone who brings his type of atmosphere.
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"Honestly, Paddy's got a tough fight," Frevola continued. "Jared Gordon is very good, but win, lose or draw - even if Paddy goes out there and gets smoked by Jared - I want to fight Paddy in London. I love the atmosphere that he brings to the fight game, it's electric.
"It's like when Conor McGregor was coming up, he brings such an atmosphere to the fight that it's amazing and he's a great fighter. I think me and him will go out there and bang and put on a great fight for the fans. I love fighting at home, putting on for New York for Long Island, but I also love travelling and I think March in London makes a lot of sense.
"Maybe I rock him and knock him out and finish him, maybe we grapple and a bit of wrestling - I love to grapple as well. He's a well-rounded mixed martial artist, so am I so I think it would be a fun fight everywhere."
