Interview with MMA star Paddy Pimblett: I’m going to unify the title and become a two- weight UFC champion

The Liverpudlian, ranked five by the UFC, headlines the first Paramount+ card
as part of the sport’s new broadcast deal.

A victory would secure Pimblett’s first world title and open the door for fights
against the likes of Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan and Max Holloway.

Q: Many of your rivals have questioned some of your opponents, claiming
you’ve had an ‘easy’ run to the interim title. Do these misconceptions
bother you?
"It’s just normal, isn't it?

"People just think I'm still this snotty nose kid, people still think I'm 12 years old,
just because I look young.

"They all get the shock of their life when they end up fighting me, so it's one of
those things.

"I'm not really that bothered; people have called me overrated and called me
rubbish and called me this and called me that since I was a kid. This is not a new
thing for me.

"I've always had people doubt me, and I always will. That's just the way this game
is."

Q: The topic of fair pay for UFC fighters regularly comes up in conversation;
what is your take on the situation?
"I get paid well, some people don't, which is bad for them. I just feel sorry for
them.

"It depends what type of fighter you are to the fact you're getting paid. I put bums
on seat, so I get paid.

"If you don't put bums on seats, you're not going to get paid; and there's a lot of
people like that who don't put bums on seats, and then they complain about the
wages.

"I get paid because I put bums on seats. I entertain, I bring the crowd, and that's
just the way I roll."

Q: Imagine you’ve signed a 5-fight deal to end your career after January 24;
what would be your dream line up and where would you want to fight
them?
"I want to unify the titles, then I'd want to defend.

"It would have to be Arman Tsarukyan, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira,
they're three fighters that I’d love to defend against; three top level, class
athletes, but I'd also want to win the belt at the weight above.

"Let’s say Arman, Max, Charles, then Islam Makhachev. Obviously if Ilia (Topuria)
came back, then he’d be on the list.

"At the same time, I'd want to defend the welterweight belt as well, so maybe
we’d have to make it a 6-fight deal, rather than a 5-fight one."

Q: Where is the afterparty going to take place in Las Vegas, after your fight?
"The after-party is going to be at Zouk.

"We're going to take over Zouk. It's going to be a big one, especially when I'm in
the back with the belt.

"I just literally can't wait. People don't understand how excited I am. As I say, this
has been a long time coming. I’ve been saying that I'm going to be the champ of
the world for years now. You know what I mean?

"I was laughed at for saying it years ago. People didn’t believe me, and now, it’s
happening."