Paddy Pimblett called out Conor McGregor among other top fighters on Saturday night after sealing a stunning submission of Benoit Saint-Denis.
Liverpudlian star “Paddy The Baddy” submitted “BSD” in 52 seconds with a D’arce choke, bouncing back from his interim-title fight loss to Justin Gaethje in January.
The fight played out just minutes before McGregor’s first fight in five years, a rematch with Max Holloway – 13 years after their first bout – in the main event of UFC 329.
“Sub of the year, b***hes,” Pimblett told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview in the cage. “I knew he was out [unconscious], you know what I mean? They had to check him.
“I told everyone all week: he’s gonna shoot in, I’m gonna grab him, and I’m gonna choke him out. He was facedown on the canvas.
“I’m like a f***ing spider, mate. When I get ahold of you, you don’t get out – simple as that.
“I’ll beat Ilia (Topuria) up, I’ll f***ing rematch Justin (Gaethje), I’ll fight Conor (McGregor) or Max (Holloway) next.
“I don’t give a f***. give me anyone and I’ll punch their head in.”
Pimblett then followed up the call-out with a touching tribute to former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, following the first anniversary of their tragic deaths in a car crash.
The Scouser sung Jota’s “Number 20” chant and urged all Liverpool fans in the crowd to join in.
However, his callout of the Irish former two-division champion would age poorly with McGregor suffering a serious knee injury seconds into his comeback bout against Holloway, leading it to be waved off in 69 seconds.
The most devastating, underwhelming outcome to his long-awaited return, McGregor is speculated to have suffered an ACL tear which would leave him sidelined for the next year.
This didn’t particularly both Pimblett, however, who gave his live reaction to the injury during an interview.
"Oh my god, McGregor's done already? He's finished, the new boy is in town. I can become the face of the organisation now,” he said.
