Paddy
Pimblett views his upcoming fight against Tony
Ferguson as a lose-lose situation, regardless of the outcome of
the bout.
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Pimblett will bring a six-fight winning streak into his matchup
with Ferguson — who is on a six-bout skid — at
UFC 296 on Dec. 16 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Despite
their starkly contrasting records in recent times, some fans expect
“El Cucuy” to defeat Pimblett, especially after the Liverpudlian’s
controversial decision win over Jared
Gordon in his last outing back in December 2022.
Pimblett believes he’s going to receive flak from fans regardless
of the outcome of his clash against Ferguson. “The Baddy” noted
that despite Ferguson having lost only to elite opponents in his
recent skid, the former interim lightweight champ is being viewed
as well past his prime. Hence, Pimblett would be slammed for losing
to a washed-up Ferguson if he lost, and a win would also be
dismissed on similar grounds.
“I don’t even know because obviously he’s lost six in a row,”
Pimblett said on the Energized Show.
“But they’re all big names, they’re all very good names, apart from
Bobby
Green. So I don’t know. I really don’t. As I’ve said plenty of
times, I see this as a lose-lose fight for me because if I did
lose, people will be like, ‘Oh, you got beat by a washed Tony.’
“And when I win, people are going to be like, ‘Oh, Tony was washed
anyway. It doesn’t matter.’ Even though I’m seeing everyone online
picking Tony to beat me, I know for a fact, even when I win, I’m
not going to get any credit.”
Pimblett had finished all three of his UFC fights prior to the
clash against Gordon, which he claims has left a bad taste in his
mouth. The former Cage Warriors champ wants to put on a show
against Ferguson, who is well known for having entertaining fights
over the years.
“I want a war,” Pimblett said. “I want to look like Anthony
Pettis after he fought him, and I want him to look worse than
Anthony
Pettis after he fought him. I want a scrap, lad. I’m going to
come in and throw down.”