Following Dana White’s confirmation that a UFC PPV is coming to the UK later in the summer, fans of Paddy Pimblett are expecting the English superstar to feature.
Whilst Paddy Pimblett has certainly been one of the most ‘called-out’ fighters in recent memory, the Liverpudlian is still waiting for his next opponent to be confirmed as rumors of the UFC’s return to England take shape.
Dana White confirms PPV card is coming to the UK
From announcing a stacked Saudi Arabia card to getting mistaken for Joe Rogan, it’s been another rollercoaster week for Dana White, who also confirmed that a numbered PPV card is coming to the UK this summer.
Speaking to TNT Sports, White teased that he’s “literally days” away from announcing the date and location, with fans expecting this to be a July card hosted at the new Co-Op Live Arena.
“I have got great fights lined up for the UK fans, and I’m excited to get back there…We got some bad-ass plans for England. It’ll be a numbered, pay-per-view card.”
Fan-favorite Drew Dober hints Paddy Pimblett could be next
Aside from champions Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall, one British fighter who will be desperate to get back in front of his home crowd will be Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett – who might have very well had his next opponent identified in Drew Dober.
There are only a handful of lightweights more popular with MMA fans than the 35-year-old veteran, who recently took to social media to tease a potential matchup in the UK:
“I’ve always wanted to fight in London. I wonder if there’s any scousers interested in creating some beautiful violence for the fans,” he wrote online.
Whilst Dober didn’t mention anyone specifically by name, there is only one ‘scouser’ in the 155lb division who would make sense for the American; and that’s ‘The Baddy’.
“For the record, Manchester works for me as well. Fly me across the pond, and I promise the English fans will get their Pounds worth.”
Replying to fan responses, Dober also noted that he wants to “hear and feel that English crowd” in person, given the raucous nature of the British faithful whenever the UFC comes to town.
Pimblett previously called for Dober’s last opponent in ‘June or July’
The call-out has come at the perfect time for Dober, considering that Pimblett had been calling for a fight with Renato Moicano before the Brazilian was booked for UFC 300 against Jalin Turner.
“That is who I want next,” Pimblett shared via his official YouTube channel last week, “Renato Moicano, ‘Money’ Moicano — you owe me money, lad. I’m coming for you, little sausage.”
Responding to the Englishman, Moicano told MMAFighting how “Every time that somebody good has a fight, he calls them out, he knows that fight is not happening now.”
“I don’t want to focus too much on Paddy Pimblett, but I will beat Jalin Turner and then we will see. We will see if he’s going to fight me or what he’s going to do. Let’s see. Only time will tell.”
Moicano also defeated Dober in his last outing via unanimous decision; with Dober currently the #15 ranked lightweight in the UFC.
The UK UFC PPV card has not yet had its date or location confirmed but is expected to be announced within the next few weeks as we head towards the summer slate.