Conor McGregor has leapt to the defence of Paddy Pimblett after he was labelled a "pound-shop" version of the UFC superstar.
Pimblett has become one of the UFC's most notable rising stars in the last year after two entertaining displays over Kazula Vargas and Jordan Leavitt in London. The Liverpudlian has been earning comparisons to former two-weight champion McGregor with the pair known for their trash-talking antics and large fanbases.
This week, Pimblett was branded a "dollar store" version of the Irishman by All-Elite Wrestling star Maxwell Jacob Friedman. He wrote on Instagram : "Unlike you I'm 100 per cent natural and I'm also 100 per cent original. Unlike you. You are a dollar store Conor McGregor that is talking. Will from Strangers Things [ Netflix series] looking a** and wouldn't last two seconds in my world #Betterthanyou See you in London."
McGregor has now weighed in on the heated debate, responding: "A dollar store Conor is still worth millions! Let’s go young Paddy Pimb! Don’t know who this other clown is." McGregor is a useful ally of Pimblett given his experience on the big stage, where he remains the UFC star who has sold the highest amount of pay-per-views in the promotion's history.
Pimblett himself responded to the jibe by saying: "If you want to have a real fight let's sort it with the UFC if not pipe down! Tell your boss to sign me up when you come to Fulham's ground [Craven Cottage] I will be ready son." MJF then responded: "Hey bud. AEW has a show coming up in your neck of the woods. If you're man enough I'll gladly show you how real I am."
Pimblett continued: "I've just said that you spaceman. Don't act as if you are calling for it, I've just told you straight. When you come to Fulham's ground, get your boss Tony Khan to message my boss Dana White and see what we can sort."
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Pimblett is undefeated after his first three fights but is set to make his first pay-per-view appearance at UFC 282 when he takes on Jared Gordon at the T-Mobile Arena on December 10. He is currently focused on his route to a world title, and is not i nterested in a potential mega-fight with McGregor according to his teammate Molly McCann.
“Not anytime soon,” McCann told talkSPORT when asked about a potential showdown with McGregor. “I think when Conor’s on the decline and Paddy’s at his highest height, that’s when it makes sense probably to make that fight for the pair of them. But, Paddy’s not after super fights, Paddy’s after bringing the belts home and Paddy’s after spreading a message and changing the world one fight at a time.”
