MEXICO CITY – Daniel Zellhuber wants to put his name on the map, and he sees no better way of doing it than taking on Paddy Pimblett.
Following his win over Francisco Prado at UFC Fight Night 237, Zellhuber (15-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) called for a return against Pimblett at this year’s Noche UFC card in Las Vegas in September, an event that will commemorate Mexican Independence Day. Pimblett has defeated Tony Ferguson, who’s of Mexican descent, and Kazula Vargas, who’s Mexico-born, in his UFC run. Both fighters were in their late 30s when the British rising star defeated them, and Zellhuber wants to get one back for his country.
“I definitely want to fight in the sphere on Sept. 17 – I even said that to Dana White in the octagon,” Zellhuber told MMA Junkie at the UFC Fight Night 237 post-fight press conference. “I asked for Paddy ‘The Baddy’ for Sept. 17. I’m tired of watching him beat old Mexicans, so it’s time for him to step in and fight the new generation of Mexicans, and I’m here.
“I’m young. I just need time to heal some injuries I had before this fight. and I feel I’m going to be ready Sept. 17. Paddy needs to drop 500 pounds, so he’s going to be ready for Sept. 17. If he’s down, I’m down.”
The 24-year-old Zellhuber, who’s now on a three-fight winning streak, sees Pimblett as a tailor-made matchup for him. In fact, he sees it so fitting that he doesn’t see the fight getting out of the first round.
“Oh, (I’ll) f*cking knock him out in the first one,” Zellhuber said. “With the way that he fights, I just feel it’s a perfect matchup for me. I’m not disrespecting him. I don’t want to be misunderstood – I respect him a lot as a fighter. What he’s doing in the sport is great. But I want my part in this game. I know that having a win over a name like him, it’s going to be great for my career, so I’m just ready for the heat. I want all that sh*t.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 237.
