Paddy Pimblett has been branded the "Jake Paul of the UFC" by fellow lightweight contender Drew Dober after his recent behaviour following his win over Jared Gordon.
Pimblett struggled to a razor-close decision victory over Gordon back in December, but insisted after the fact that he had dominated proceedings and comfortably won the bout. And Dober, ranked No.14, has called for a fight between the pair, although he admits it may not happen due to his rival being protected by the UFC.
And Dober says that it's not the challenge of facing Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors champion, that excites him as much as his desire to fight a hometown competitor at London's O2 arena. The American is keen to experience the best atmospheres in the world, and would like to face a fan favourite in their own country.
“Paddy’s name is great, it’s fun,” Dober told Mirror Fighting at UFC 288 media day. “I feel like he’s the Jake Paul of the UFC right now. He’s bringing in a lot of attention. But really, the opportunity that excites me the most is not his name. It’s that O2 Arena in London. Fighting in front of the English crowd would be so much fun.
“I think he has a lot of growing up to do. I made those mistakes in my early 20s as well, inside the octagon and outside the octagon. I think he’s going to mature well as long as he listens to good advice, but he definitely needs some time. So I feel like this injury works out better for him.
"Just as long as he trains and improves in the areas he needs to improve, and then he just keeps that social status, I think he’s gonna be a Conor McGregor-ish.”
Who would win between Drew Dober and Paddy Pimblett? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
However, in a later interview with the MMA Hour, Dober insisted that the people behind Pimblett's fast-rising career wouldn't let the pair meet in the octagon. The Brit is currently out of action after a surgery on his foot following his fight with Gordon, and could be out of action until next year.
"The talking was all on my end," Dober said of the fight. "I wanted to fight him, that would be fun - but it was a hard no from Paddy and a hard no from those protecting him too. It was one of those internet fantasies where everyone wanted me to fight Paddy, but he's going to call the shots and that's a 'no'."
Dober is set to face fellow lightweight Matt Frevola on Saturday night at UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey just a stones throw from his rival's hometown. Both men have called for fights with Pimblett in the past, but garnered minimal response.
