Paddy Pimblett predicts he’ll add another knockout to his resume against Jared Gordon.
Pimblett (19-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC) meets Gordon (19-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) in the UFC 282 co-main event Dec. 10 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
On paper, 11-fight UFC veteran Gordon is expected to be Pimblett’s toughest test to date in the octagon. But the popular UFC star expects to put him out in spectacular fashion.
“Just a little breakdown of this crab I’m fighting,” Pimblett said on his YouTube channel. “He tries to pitter-patter his way to a win. I try and knock you clean out with one shot, and that’s what I’m going to do.
“Jared Gordon, I respect you. I like you as a person. But as a fighter, you’re not on my level, bro, and I’m coming to take your chin home with me.”
Pimblett said he had a hard time finding training partners in the U.K. who would spar him for this camp, but was able to get some rounds in with Dana White’s Contender Series alum Thomas Paull in London.
“Tom’s is like a similar build – similar height, throws similar shots to Jared Gordon, who as you know, I’m fighting,” Pimblett said. “He’s getting bingoed – watch.
“I’m a better striker. I’ve got better jiu-jitsu. I’ve got better wrestling. I’m going to have the whole crowd behind me. He’s going to be like, ‘What’s going on here? We’re in America and everyone is backing him.’ … But he is a good fighter. He is. But as I say, there’s levels to this game.”