LONDON – Paddy Pimblett does not like Jordan Leavitt.
So much so in fact, that Pimblett can’t remember if he’s ever been as “pissed off” as he is toward his UFC Fight Night 208 opponent.
“I didn’t mind him up before the fight got announced, do you know what I mean?” Pimblett told reporters, including MMA Junkie, on Wednesday at media day. “But he’s talking all sorts of crazy sh*t, lad. He’s an absolute crab. Do you know what I mean? He can’t throw a punch to save his life, and he’s trying to talk sh*t. It’s mad. He’s talking about my opponents? I’d say that my nan is dead, and she’d finish him. Do you know what I mean?”
Since the matchup was announced in May, Leavitt has said he likes Pimblett but also indicated he’s not impressed with the budding U.K. star’s skills. Leavitt repeatedly has said he plans to upset Pimblett and twerking to celebrate.
Pimblett is not amused and has a unique celebration of his own planned for Saturday after he beats Leavitt.
“I’m gonna tea bag him, man,” Pimblett said. “I’m gonna tea bag him like it’s Modern Warfare 2. … I squat as close to his head as I possibly can with the ref shouting at me. I’ll just squat up and down like I’m on Modern Warfare 2.”
Minutes before Pimblett took the stage, Leavitt had a news conference of his own. He predicted the matchup wouldn’t be as thrilling as some fans anticipate, with both fighters likely resorting to their grappling. Pimblett had a different vision, however.
“I’m going to take his head off,” Pimblett said. “I’m not going to be shooting on takedowns. I’m coming to stand with him to take his head – off. I’m going to take his chin home with me. He can’t throw a punch to save his life, lad. He can’t, lad. He comes to fight not to lose. He doesn’t come to fight to win. He comes in to fight not to lose. Do you know what I mean? Try to take me down and sit on top of me and sniff my balls for three rounds. It’s not going to work.”
Leavitt has fought only at the UFC Apex over the span of his three-fight promotional tenure. Pimblett thinks the magnitude of The O2 packed to the rafters with screaming fans could present some problems “The Monkey King” might be overlooking.
“All my mates will be in a mess by then,” Pimblett said. “I’m sure they’re going to be sloshed. 9 o’clock. That’s what I mean. He’s only ever fought in the Apex. He’s never fought anywhere else. He’s never fought with a crowd. Now he’s fighting with my crowd. Like I said, his head is going to fall off. As I was saying before, this probably might be the first ever time someone sh*ts themself in the octagon.”
There will be no touch of gloves at the beginning of this fight, said Pimblett. That’s a deviation from the norm for him. Another difference from past matchups? Pimblett said he actually intends on hurting Leavitt. It’s more than just a competition at this point.
“I’ve never really been pissed off leading up to a fight,” Pimblett said. “(Luigi) Vendramini and (Kazula) Vargas were respectful, as I was to them. He’s a little maggot, and I’m going to proper batter him for it. I’ve never come into a fight once to hurt my opponent. I’m going to hurt him. If I get the chance, I’m going to split him open with elbows or rearrange his face.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 208.
