Next Story
Newszop

Paddy Pimblett gives Conor McGregor response after UFC legend's cryptic call-out

Send Push

UFC lightweight sensation has declared he's open to a fight with former dual-weight champion .

His comments came after the Irishman took to X - formerly known as - on Thursday night, revealing that he's between Pimblett and former Bellator lightweight champion . "I am interested in the Chandler/Pimblett fight this weekend," the official post read.

Along with the tweet, 'The Notorious' tagged several accounts, including the and TKO Group Holdings. The post also featured a forty-two second video of the 36-year-old hitting the pads - potentially teasing that he may want to face the winner of the showdown.

The video has since gone viral on social media - with 'The Baddy' eventually being quizzed about the post during the UFC 314 press conference in Miami. "Yeah, I've seen it, obviously! I got sent it by a good few people," he said. I'd welcome the fight, that's where the money is at, but I can't look past Michael (Chandler) on Saturday night, I need to get the win here, That's all that matters."

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Meanwhile, Chandler, Pimblett's upcoming opponent, provided a more comprehensive perspective on McGregor's video. The history between Chandler and McGregor stretches back to their stint as rival coaches on The Ultimate Fighter in 2023, and they were set to go head-to-head last year, but the .

Ever since the fight cancellation, the American has been campaigning for the UFC to rebook the highly-anticipated showdown. When asked the same question at the UFC 314 press conference, 'Iron' replied: "I don't know. I'm sure he's watching. He watches and he's very interested in coming back, but can he put together a training camp? That's the real question.

"We don't know. All I know is that you can see by my actions... fighting Charles Oliveira in November and now fighting five months later, Paddy Pimblett, putting my ranking on the line, going out to brave the unknown. I'm going out to stay active. The first twenty-six months in the organisation, I weighed-in six times, fought five times... fight of the night, debut of the year, knockout of the year - all I do is put on great fights! And I do it for you guys. And on Saturday night, we're going to do it again. I don't really care what Conor tweets. If he comes back, we've got to finish 'The Ultimate Fighter 31' and he's going to be impressed with my performance on Saturday night."

In the run-up to their highly anticipated clash this weekend, Pimblett and Chandler have kept things cordial. 'Iron' showed respect for his opponent's achievements, stating: "All respect towards what Paddy has done in this sport. He has earned this spot to be in this spot, but I have proven over these last couple of decades that I deserve to be in this spot as well. Right here, in Miami, Florida, UFC 314, I'm coming to steal the show. This is the people's main event, and I can't wait. I'm going to find that chin and I'm going to find that chin early."

Pimblett, on the other hand, is eager to maintain his perfect UFC record, despite acknowledging the challenge ahead. Confident as ever, he's aiming for a significant victory on Saturday night. "Obviously my gameplan for opponents... you watch a lot of tape and that's what my coaches do and that's why we get so many wins," the Scouse scrapper said.

"There's a lot of tape that we've studied over his UFC career and I've got so many ways that I can win this fight. Everyone thinks that I'm going to get knocked out because I leave my chin high. But I told you, this chin is made of granite. I'm not getting knocked out, I've never been knocked out before, but Mike has and I'll do it again on Saturday."

Loving Newspoint? Download the app now