UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has criticised "real fighter" Paddy Pimblett by comparing him to YouTube boxers Logan and Jake Paul.
The Paul brothers have broken into combat sports with Jake holding a five-fight win streak in professional boxing, while Logan has shared the ring with legend Floyd Mayweather. UFC star Pimblett has won his two opening octagon outings and is making a name for himself as one of the most high-profile stars in the promotion.
Costa has tweeted a sarcastic comparison, with a picture of the Paul brothers showing off a ripped physique with the caption "fake fighters". On the other side of the post, Pimblett is pictured eating during his recent junk food binge with the caption "real fighters".
This is the second time Costa has publicly praised the Paul brothers on social media, with the Brazilian claiming Jake was his "hero" after he called out former UFC champion Michael Bisping to a duel in the boxing ring. The former title challenger has also met Logan and knocked out the YouTube star during a sparring session, despite the YouTuber holding his own until the booming overhand right sent him to the canvas.
Pimblett has recently come into criticism for his approach to fights after ballooning in weight since his recent victory over Kazula Vargas at UFC London. The 27-year-old tipped the scales at 200lbs after going on a junk food binge to celebrate his latest success, despite promising to avoid piling on the pounds.
The Merseyside star is no stranger to the Paul brothers with both Jake and most recently Logan calling him out to a fight. The older sibling is keen to face Pimblett in the UFC but has hailed his fast-growing fame as a reason for the challenge.
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"I have found out who I would like to fight if I did a UFC match. Paddy the Baddy (Pimblett)," Paul told the MMA Hour. "They say he is the next Conor McGregor right, he is super charismatic and entertaining as hell. He is on the come-up and young like me and has a real loud mouth. I like the way he can perform.
"I think I might have him on my podcast and say to him straight up 'I would like to fight you in the UFC'. He could get up to 185lbs and I could get down to 185lbs for a UFC match. It's the only thing I don't know if I would win, he is a good a** fighter and I have never had an MMA fight. If I am doing it obviously I think I am going to win.
"But now I am looking at it and if I do a UFC fight then I have to do it with someone else who can sell tickets. He is still relatively new and he is young and entertaining so I think the fans will eat that s*** up."
