UFC star Paddy Pimblett has fallen for a troll effort from an infamous Twitter user, and offered to fight them after a charity row.
ReallyNiceDerek, the notorious social media prankster behind a number of fake boxing news stories including the beginnings of Tommy Fury's feud with Jake Paul, reeled in Pimblett with a tweet mocking his charity donations. The lightweight contender has previously vowed to make sure children don't have to eat from food banks in Liverpool once he starts earning big money.
But Derek, who is also known by the nickname 'Del G', mocked him for his lack of charitable donations in a tweet that made its way to the UFC star. He asked Pimblett in a tongue-in-cheek post if his close friend Molly McCann, also a UFC fighter in the flyweight division, was "as tight" as him, which resulted in a lengthy exchange between the two as well as other fans who fell for the joke.
"Hi Paddy how are you?" Derek wrote in a tweet. "Was just thinking about the time you admitted you have never given a single penny to a food bank because you 'don’t get Conor McGregor paydays' and it got me wondering, are you the biggest fraud of all time? Is Molly McCann as tight as you too?"
He was referring to Pimblett's post-fight press conference at UFC London in March, where the Liverpool native was asked what he would do if he ends up at the Irishman's level of stardom. He replied: “I do hope I end up earning as much money as Conor McGregor. I’m going to give back to my city. No child in this city would ever eat from a food bank ever again.”
And the tweet incited a barrage of replies from Pimblett and his fans, who appeared oblivious to the fact that the social media user is a notorious troll. Pimblett shared screenshots of his donations, to which Derek insisted that he would be donating more.
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Eventually, one suggested that the Scouse fighter fight Derek in a charity fight with the proceeds going towards a charity to end hunger in the UK. They wrote: "You know what you should really do, Del? Seeing as your such a huge charity giver, why not step in to a ring with Paddy and all the proceeds can go to the foodbanks, deal?"
Pimblett liked the idea, responding: "Now this is a great idea? What yas [sic] reckon people? Little white collar boxing match for charity? Every penny raised goes to food banks! I’m game are you Derek?"
For his part, Derek joked that he wouldn't take a "step down" to face Pimblett, who recently signed a new contract for big money with the UFC. "Why would I take a step back from amateur and semi pro to fight white collar?" He joked with one fan. "Against someone who’s never had a boxing match in their life."
Pimblett will return to the UFC octagon next month at The O2 arena in London when he faces Jordan Leavitt. He is a favourite to beat the American, but is taking a step up in competition for the event from his previous two opponents.
