MMA Legend Dustin Poirier Praises UFC’s Rising Star: “He’s Legit, He Can Be Champion!”
(Credit: The New York Times)
Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett is making noise both in and out of the octagon after his career-best performance against Michael Chandler at UFC 314.
The Liverpool-born fighter had many doubters before his clash with Chandler, but he proved that he can in fact be a top fighter in the lightweight division. Pimblett didn’t just get the win over “Iron”, he completely dominated before scoring a TKO victory in round three.
Paddy Pimblett Closing in on UFC Lightweight Title Shot?
Pimblett is now riding an incredible unbeaten seven-fight streak, with five finishes in his seven UFC outings.
Once deemed a hype job with great microphone skills, in Pimblett, England now have a genuine chance at seeing their fighter challenge for the UFC lightweight title.
A legend of mixed martial arts and especially the UFC featherweight and lightweight division is Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier. The hardened veteran has seen it all at 155-pounds, and the American had some strong praise for Pimblett after his previous win over Chandler.
Poirier was admittedly surprised as Pimblett completely outclassed his former foe, Chandler, before securing a third round technical knockout. “The Diamond” believes Pimblett can be a UFC champ one day if he continues on his current path.
“Of course [I was surprised]. I really thought Chandler was gonna beat [Pimblett],” Chandler told Ariel Helwani. “But I was wrong. Paddy’s legit, man… Yeah, if he believes it and works hard enough and keeps doing what he’s doing, he can be [champion].”
UFC Legend Dustin Poirier is Taking Pimblett “For Real Now”
Poirier, who has one fight left in his UFC career – he is facing Max Holloway in an epic trilogy contest at lightweight – has admitted that he would’ve loved to battle it out with Pimblett, but at this stage in career he can’t entertain that idea.
“The guy was a prospect. Now he’s a contender,” Poirier said. “You have to take him for real now. Not that Chandler wasn’t a big fight, but his next fight has to be a really big one. Like a (Mateusz) Gamrot, Arman (Tsarukyan), (Charles) Oliveira.” [MMA Junkie]
How Does “The Baddy” Matchup Against Elite Lightweights?
With Pimblett now officially ranked eighth in the lightweight division, the Englishman could be one more big win away from a shot at the 155-pounds title. But how would he fare against some of the guys he has called out?
Mateusz Gamrot, currently ranked as the seventh best lightweight in the UFC is known for his gruelling fighting style, heavily dependent on chain wrestling and grinding opponents down whilst racking up control time.
The issue with his style is that fans find it boring as he rarely wins by stoppage. However, a fight against Pimblett will almost certainly be exciting due to Pimblett’s activity levels on the feet and on the mat.
Arman Tsarukyan, currently the number one contender, is a lot of fans pick to become the new lightweight champion. The Armenian fighter has well-rounded skills, and many would have him as the clear favourite versus Pimblett, purely because he does have a win over former lightweight champ, Charles Oliveira, despite it being a split decision.
Oliveira is another fighter that Pimblett called out, but would the Brazilian choose to fight way down the rankings considering he’s currently the second ranked lightweight contender? Every single “Do Bronx” fight is must-see due to his dynamic striking style and his elite submission skills.
While Oliveira would rightfully be the favourite in a potential bout against Pimblett, the Liverpool fighter does have very good BJJ skills himself; it would be interesting to see how a scramble would play out between these two.
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