Paddy Pimblett labelled 'idiot from Europe' and targeted by formidable UFC star
The Liverpudlian is targeting a return to action later this year and has recently been called out by a fellow top contender in the lightweight division
Polish MMA star Mateusz Gamrot has called for a fight with Paddy Pimblett following his impressive victory on Saturday night.
The 34-year-old didn't mince words, dubbing Pimblett as the 'idiot from Europe' when naming opponents he would like to fight next. Currently sitting just a one sport above Liverpool's own in the lightweight division at number seven, Gamrot is itching for the challenge.
Since joining the UFC ranks in 2020, Gamrot has been nothing short of formidable. He has amassed a respectable 8-3 record within the promotion. With a professional record of 25-3, the Polish powerhouse has dispatched notable fighters such as Jeremy Stephens, Carlos Diego Ferreira, Arman Tsarukyan, Jalin Turner, Rafael Fiziev, and Rafael dos Anjos.
On Saturday night, Gamrot clinched another victory, cruising to a unanimous decision over Ludovit Klein at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Post-fight, UFC icon Daniel Cormier was quick to ask the 34-year-old who he would like to fight next. "Everybody, bro, everybody," declared Gamrot.
"Give me the list. I want to fight with everybody... Paddy [Pimblett] is the idiot from Europe, I want to fight with him. But like you said, if Benoit Saint-Denis want the smoke? [That's] another easy fight. Paris, main event, five rounds, give me this guy [Saint-Denis]."
Gamrot's call-out comes not long after Pimblett picked up the biggest win of his career against Michael Chandler. From start-to-finish, the Liverpool native dominated proceedings as he picked up a vicious knockout in the third round. He has since called for top lightweight contenders as he targets a return to the cage before the end of the year.
Pimblett is setting his sights on an October showdown with Justin Gaethje, believing a win would put him at the front of the queue for a UFC lightweight title shot. "I know for a fact if I beat Gaethje, I'm next in line. Definitely. It could be (the next fight)," Pimblett revealed to TNT Sports.
"It's just if he says yeah or not. Because he's fighting down the rankings again. Abu Dhabi. October. That pay-per-view. That's when I want to fight. That's what I'll be gearing towards. After what I've done to (Michael) Chandler, I think I finish Justin Gaethje... Yeah, that'd be nice [to fight Gaethje]."
He added: "But I was thinking about it the other day: It's probably better if Ilia wins the belt, because he'll probably call me out and then I could just fight him. Maybe I wouldn't even fight Gaethje, [and I could] just fight Topuria... It'd be far better for my career if Ilia wins because I'd, more than likely, be his first title defence."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Conor McGregor's BKFC faces ban as Australian leader slams 'brutal' sport
The Irishman was confirmed as a part owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship last year, but not everyone seems to be onboard with the promotion Conor McGregor has been dealt a huge blow after an Australian politician revealed he is leading calls for bare knuckle fighting to be permanently banned in the country. The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, co-owned by McGregor, was set to make its Australian debut in Perth this July. However, the WA Combat Sports Commission has rejected the application. In response to this development, Australian Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas is urging the State Government to completely outlaw the sport, asserting it has no place in Western Australia. "It was very clear that a significant majority of Western Australians did not want this brutal sport to be coming to Perth," He continued: "It should not have taken this long, and there are still lots of questions," said Zempilas. He further added: "We don't know what criteria was not met, or how the decision was reached. We don't know whether there were discussions between the Minister and the Commission, and it would appear the door is still open." Zempilas is convinced that a ban is the only appropriate measure to prevent future applications. "That's what we want. Clearly that's what the people of Western Australia want," the 53-year-old said. "It sets a bad example, there is very little demand. And it took the long way and a confusing way to get there, but I'm pleased that the common sense decision was ultimately reached." Last year, the former dual-weight UFC champion and his company "McGregor Sports and Entertainment" became part-owners of BKFC, which has since seen a stunning growth, staging events worldwide with McGregor often in attendance. However, not everyone is thrilled about the bare-knuckle fighting promotion. However, not everyone appears to be onboard with the promotion. Zempilas' comments were echoed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Speaking to Triple M, Albanese said: "A bit of common sense - you've got to look after people's health a bit and maybe save people from themselves. I just think we've got to be much more conscious about health issues." When asked directly about bare knuckle fighting, the Prime Minister replied: "It's a bit crazy!" BKFC President David Feldman had previously insisted that the event would still go ahead. The lineup was set to feature ex-UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell against Aussie powerhouse Alex 'Godly Strong' Simon, and 'Rowdy' Bec Rawlings slated to face Jade event was set to take place at RAC Arena on July 19, but with calls for a ban heating up, it seems very likely that the BKFC will struggle to host an event in Australia. Recently, McGregor vowed to compete in BKFC despite the controversy. "Yes. Yes. The warrior spirit burns strong inside me," he said at a BKFC press conference in Italy earlier this year. "For sure. If you think I'm up here giving these speeches and leading these men into battle and I won't step in there myself, think again. For sure. Conor McGregor will fight in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship – mark my words." "I would wish to be the Bare Knuckle world champion. That is a significant belt to hold in your career. Nobody from boxing to mixed martial arts can speak nothing bad on a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship world champion. So for sure, I'd be coming in looking for the world title. "There are many bouts, showcase bouts you could say. Michael Perry, Mike Perry. You could say Jeremy Stephens. You could say a rematch against Eddie Alvarez. You could say many matches. But the lightweight title, who is the champion right now, lightweight or welterweight? Let's see. I'm open. We'll see when it comes."
Daily Mirror
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Jon Jones reveals 'truth' as UFC star drops bombshell amid Tom Aspinall delay
Jones and Aspinall have been deep in negotiations over a potential fight the last few months, but as of yet, nothing has been made official Jon Jones has b oastedthe UFC would rather have him as the undisputed heavyweight champion over Tom Aspinall. The American fighter has not been active since he clinched the heavyweight title in 2023, defeating Ciryl Gane with a first-round submission. Jones was set to defend his belt shortly after his victory over the Frenchman against Stipe Miocic, but he had to pull out due to a severe pectoral tendon injury sustained during training. Miocic was left waiting an entire year before the heavyweight dust-up was rescheduled. When they finally clashed, Jones dominated and secured a knockout win over Miocic in the third round in New York. Since then, the 37-year-old has been locked in talks for a potential fight with Aspinall. However, fans are becoming increasingly impatient with Jones' reluctance to commit to fighting the British fighter and there have been calls for him to be stripped of his title. In response, Jones has disclosed why the anticipated fight hasn't materialised yet. In a post uploaded to X - formerly known as Twitter - on Friday morning, 'Bones' explained that he had discussed his future with the UFC some time ago. "I spoke to the UFC a long time ago about what my future plans were. I haven't really worked out since my last fight in New York City. Honestly, I believe it's been in the UFC's best interest to keep presenting me as the company's champion—not Tom," he tweeted. "I've just been playing the role of the company man by doing nothing at all… and holding the position. And truthfully, it's been incredibly lucrative. I've made more money off of Tom being the interim champ than Tom has himself. It sucks to see the rest of the division get slowed down like this, but that has nothing to do with me. I don't pull the strings." After surprisingly admitting he has not trained regularly since his bout with Miocic, many are wondering if Jones has effectively retired. Ahead of UFC 316 on Saturday, fans voiced their discontent by calling for the heavyweight champion to be stripped of his title. A petition has been circulating, demanding Jones be officially stripped of his title, and has gained thousands of signatures. When asked about the petition, UFC commentator Jon Anik was interrupted by the audience at the press conference on Thursday evening, who chanted "strip Jon Jones" repeatedly, making their feelings clear. Anik eventually opened up about ongoing situation with Jones, saying: "So I think a fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall is bigger if they are both champions. I'm hopeful they're going to fight in December in Las Vegas. I have no inside information. But I don't know that Jon Jones really gives a rip if they strip him of the heavyweight championship. He's still going to fight Tom, hopefully, and it's still going to be a bag."
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
A magical mystery tour of Liverpool, bug-eyed cuteness and the world of vineyards – the week in art
Liverpool BiennialTurner winner Elizabeth Price and Turkey's Cevdet Erek are the stars of this mystery tour of Liverpool that's occasionally magical. Various venues, Liverpool, until 14 September Yoshitomo NaraYou like bug eyed paintings of cute yet uncanny characters? Look no further. Hayward Gallery, London, 10 June until 31 August Sea InsideAn investigation of our relationship with the undersea world, featuring Hiroshi Sugimoto, Marcus Coates and more. Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia, until 26 October Liliane Lijn: Arise AliveThis pioneer of art made with light and motion shows her works from the 1950s to the present day. Tate St Ives, until 2 November Rudolf StingelAbstract paintings inspired by vineyards, leading you into worlds of matted, knotted green. Gagosian Grosvenor Hill, London, from 12 June until 20 September Derek Jarman sometimes cast spells over his doomy black paintings, into which he threw his rage at society's treatment of queer people. Alex Needham writes about the film-maker and artist's galvanising spirit ahead of a new exhibition of his work, and the publication of an unfinished screenplay. Edward Burra is British art's great unknown The V&A's five-star show Design and Disability is a boundary-breaking triumph Philip Hoare has detailed how William Blake became a queer icon Photographer Jungjin Lee's landscapes roar with the supremacy of nature Performance artist Allen-Golder Carpenter is spending three days in a jail cell Banksy's been up to his newest tricks in Marseille Our critic wasn't sure what Leonardo Drew's towers of broken urban debris amount to Trump wants to fire the first female director of the US National Portrait Gallery Heinz Berggruen collected treasures of modernism branded degenerate by the Nazis Sign up to Art Weekly Your weekly art world round-up, sketching out all the biggest stories, scandals and exhibitions after newsletter promotion As Altadena begins rebuilding after the LA fires, a new show centres its creative history The glorious legacy of Gwen John is finally outshining her flamboyant brother's The Serpentine's first movable pavilion resembles 'an expanding crepe-paper ornament' Derek Jarman's brooding 'black' paintings throw fresh light on his genius Hamad Butt died too soon to win recognition as the most dangerous YBA of all The Lincolnshire Ox by George Stubbs, 1790 A prodigiously huge ox is shown off by its owner in this typically surreal and haunting masterpiece by the Liverpool-born animal painter who captured the curiosity of his age. It was a real animal, and John Gibbons, the man in the painting, made money showing it off: at the time when Stubbs portrayed it, the Lincolnshire Ox was on display to paying crowds in London. Its growth was attributed to being fed purely on grass, proof of scientific improvements in 18th-century British agriculture. Stubbs, who anatomised horses, shares this scientific interest. He exhibits the ox as a dreamlike wonder, using its owner as scale and admiring its profound placidity as it munches grass. The other animal, much more alert and assertive, is thought to be Gibbons's fighting cock. Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool If you don't already receive our regular roundup of art and design news via email, please sign up here. If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email newsletters@
