Instagram/Getty Paddy Pimblett & Tony Ferguson
Rapidly rising UFC star Paddy Pimblett recently shared his interest in fighting ex-UFC lightweight interim champion Tony Ferguson. But there’s a catch.
“The Baddy” is a 17-3 professional lightweight fighter who recently signed with the promotion, scoring a first-round TKO over Luigi Vendramini in his debut on September 4, 2021.
The Englishman entered the Octagon with a large following and now that he’s 1-0 in the world’s largest MMA promotion, his brand is exploding. And he’d like to share the cage with one of the biggest names in the UFC’s 155-pound division, “El Cucuy.”
However, Pimblett doesn’t want to take on a top-10 fighter without getting paid more. Specifically, The Baddy is looking for a six-figure payday to compete against Ferguson, or any other highly ranked combatant.
Speaking on the “Anything Goes With James English” podcast, Pimblett took aim at Ferguson.
“F**k that,” Pimblett said via SportsKeeda.com. “I’m not fighting a top-10 on the money I’m on, lad… Nick Peet was saying he’d like to see me against Tony Ferguson. And, lad, I’d like to see me against Tony Ferguson, but not on the contract I’m on now. F**k that. Get paid that money to fight Tony Ferguson, lad. Yeah, he’s still one of the best 155ers in the world, lad. I want f**king six figures, lad, then I’m fighting him.”
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Pimblett Recently Signed Massive Deal With Barstool Sports
The Baddy is officially a brand ambassador and content creator for the popular outlet Barstool Sports. On October 8, 2021, Pimblett announced he signed a seven-figure deal with the company.
“I have signed with @barstoolsports people,” The Baddy tweeted. “I want to thank @stoolpresidente & @GrahamBoylan who put this deal together and for making it a very workable partnership for both sides. Barstool Sports know who the boy is.”
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Pimblett Appears Ready to Get Back to Action, Unclear When Ferguson Will Fight Next
The 26-year-old English fighter appears ready to get back into the Octagon, but no fight has been announced by either the combatant or the promotion. The Baddy is currently on a three-fight win streak and is 4-1 in his last five bouts.
On the other end, El Cucuy has fallen on hard times. He’s 0-3 in his last three fights in the UFC, losing to Justin Gaethje, future lightweight champion Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush.
Ferguson’s last fight took place in May 2021 when he dropped a three-round unanimous decision to Dariush at UFC 262. At 37 years old, El Cucuy still holds a spot in the top 10 of lightweight, sitting at No. 7.
Although Ferguson is on a skid, he is still a former interim champion that built an impressive 12-fight win streak in one of the UFC’s hardest divisions, defeating the likes of former UFC lightweight champions Rafael dos Anjos and Anthony Pettis.
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