Molly McCann isn’t worried about ‘the lights’ getting too bright for Paddy Pimblett.
UFC Lightweight Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett joined teammate Molly McCann on the UFC roster in 2021, the Liverpool fighter emerging quite the star across his first six bouts in the Octagon.
With each win, Pimblett’s went on to fight bigger and badder names in the UFC lightweight division. Pimblett is scheduled to face his toughest test to date at UFC 314 when he meets three-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler in Miami next month.
Pimblett’s fought former champions before, namely Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 where he decisioned the lightweight legend in a so-so performance.
- Read more: Paddy Pimblett doubts he’ll get the credit he deserves for beating Michael Chandler at UFC 314
Molly McCann thinks Paddy Pimblett might have been starstruck by President Donald Trump
Many pundits had predicted Pimblett to finish Ferguson within the distance, seeing as though Ferguson was on a six-fight losing skid prior. But, that wasn’t the case for Pimblett with a sea of stars watching from cageside.
President Donald Trump, an avid UFC fan who recently met with Conor McGregor in The Oval Office, was among those in attendance for Pimblett’s fight against Ferguson. Molly McCann thinks that may have had an impact on Pimblett’s performance.
“I think he’s learned his lessons in previous fights and especially with Tony Ferguson,” McCann said of ‘the moment’ getting to Pimblett.
“I think that was a big thing, having Trump in the crowd, being there on that card…”
Molly McCann says Paddy Pimblett ‘knows the drill’ ahead of Michael Chandler fight
Whether or not Pimblett was actually starstruck, McCann says this won’t be an issue moving forward with Michael Chandler and more massive fights for him at lightweight.
“He knows the drill,” McCann said of her teammate. “He’s meeting Chandler at the perfect time.
“He’s leveling up everywhere and you look at his body, he’s a man now, he’s 30 years of age. He’s not green in the sport and he’s just gonna go in there and absolutely do the job…”
Paddy Pimblett will meet Michael Chandler from the Kaseya Center in Miami, more than likely another sell-out for the premier MMA promotion.
“Pressure makes diamonds. And my boy is a big, big diamond,” McCann continued. “This is everything he’s dreamed of his whole life. I don’t think the bright lights are gonna get to him.”
A win over Michael Chandler could very well propel Pimblett to a top-5 fight next.