PADDY PIMBLETT has revealed who he wants to win UFC 322’s main event.
The UFC‘s return to Madison Square Garden on Sunday morning is headlined by a historic welterweight title fight between champion Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev.
MMA fans around the world are waiting with bated breath for the mammoth melee, which will see former pound-for-pound king Makhachev move up from lightweight to challenge for a second title.
Surging lightweight contender Pimblett, who is on the cusp of a title shot of his own, will also be one of the many interested viewers.
And it’s safe to say ‘The Baddy’ isn’t rooting for Dagesani destroyer Makhachev to become a two-division champion.
He told UFC Europe: “I hope JDM (Della Maddalena) absolutely punches his little head in. Yeah. I hope JDM batters him.
“I think JDM is a much better boxer, and if he can keep it on the feet, then he will absolutely batter him, and I hope he does.”
Pimblett’s cheering on of Della Maddalena stems from Makhachev’s criticism of his resume ahead of a potential crack at lightweight gold.
The Liverpudlian explained: “Islam was chatting pony the other day, saying who have I beat when he got the title shot at lightweight off beating Bobby Green.
“Someone who I beat faster than you, you little bum. How about that one, Islam?”
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Pimblett’s disdain for Makhachev is so much that he’d gladly welcome him back to lightweight should his bid to become a two-division champion become unsuccessful.
He said: “Get back down to lightweight, and I’ll punch your head in, as well.”
Pimblett hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since his Miami mauling of fan favourite Michael Chandler in April.
That win has put him on the brink of a shot at the lightweight crown against champion Ilia Topuria, who claimed the belt in June with a vicious first-round KO of Charles Oliveira.
The pair had a heated exchange inside the octagon moments after Topuria’s coronation as king of the lightweights, and the Georgian-born Spaniard SHOVED Pimblett after they exchanged words.
The UFC are working on finalising the fight, which is undoubtedly one of the biggest they can make for 2026.
