Paddy Pimblett has taken time out of his preparations for a fight with Jared Gordon to issue a challenge to the AEW champion.
‘The Baddy’ is set for his toughest test to date at UFC 282 in Las Vegas on December 10 after picking up three stoppage wins since joining MMA’s premier promotion last year
During his rise to prominence, Pimblett has become known for speaking his mind on social media and has been banned by Twitter for doing so.
On Tuesday, he took issue with AEW champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman – better known as MJF – claiming that professional wrestling is more dangerous than MMA before the duo began trading insults in a heated exchange.
Pimblett wrote on Instagram: “if u wanna have a real fight let's sort it with the UFC if not pipe down! Oh tell ur boss to sign me up when yous come to Fulham's ground I be ready son"
MJF tagged UFC president Dana White and AEW boss Tony Khan in his reply, which read: "hey bud. AEW has a show coming up in your neck of the woods. If you're man enough I'll gladly show you how real I am."
The 27-year-old Scouser then suggested that Friedman uses performance-enhancing substances so would be unable to fight in the UFC which requires its fighters to agree to rigorous drug testing.
"I've just said that u spaceman don't act as if ur calling for it,” Pimblett added.
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“I've just told u straight when yous come Fulham's ground (craven cottage) get ur boss Tony Khan to message my boss Dana White and see what we can sort because I know full well you won't pass a USADA drug test to fight in the UFC”
The pro wrestler insisted he is a clean athlete while comparing Pimblett to UFC legend Conor McGergor and Stranger Things character Will Byers in his final rebuttal.
“unlike you I'm 100% natural and I'm also 100% original. Unlike you. You're dollar store Conor McGregor talking, Will from strangers things looking a** wouldn't last two seconds in my world #Betterthanyou See you in London."
MJF is not the first pro wrestler to express an interest in taking on Pimblett who has received repeat call outs from the WWE's newest star, Logan Paul.
While the UFC fighter entertains talk of crossover fights on social media, it seems unlikely that they will come off as he continues to progress through the ranks of the MMA leader’s stacked lightweight division.
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