- Paddy Pimblett defeated Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 by unanimous decision
- Paul Felder doubts that ‘The Baddy’ will ever break into top 15 of the weight class
- Jake Paul would be wasting an opportunity if he went over to MMA – The Hook
Paddy Pimblett ‘will not break into the top 15’ at lightweight, predicts Paul Felder.
‘The Baddy’ remains undefeated in the organisation and put Tony Ferguson to the sword at UFC 296 in Las Vegas last month.
Ferguson has now lost seven in a row and looks a shadow of his former self, while Pimblett dominated the veteran and almost secured a finish in the first, only to flag in the last round having expended most of his energy.
Felder does not believe that the 29-year-old from Liverpool is top-15 calibre, while admitting he could still beat any of those ranked fighters on his day.
‘Can Paddy beat anyone in the top 15? I will start with this: Of course he can. We know that it’s MMA — anything can happen’, Felder said on Round Up w/ Paul Felder & Michael Chiesa.
Paul Felder is doubtful Paddy Pimblett can be ranked in the top 15 of the UFC
Felder recently was put back on the UFC roster having previously retired from competition
‘But if we were going to sit here and make bets, and if I had to predict, no, I really don’t think so. He struggled to get a Tony out of there who looked the worst he’s ever looked in his career.
‘He was able to hurt Tony a little bit, but he really should have been able to put him away. Not taking anything away from him — he knew he was going to be in for a hard one, even if he won this fight.
‘He said it in the media days leading up that we were going to criticize him even if he wins, if he didn’t go out there and maybe get him out of there. So here we are criticizing him.’
Pimblett was vocal in the build-up that it was a lose-lose match-up for him given Ferguson’s dreadful streak and the fact he was expected to win anyway.
But he marches on and is likely to face a contender in the top 15 of the 155-pound division next.
It remains to be seen when we’ll see Pimblett in action next but some pointed out his dramatic weight gain since the fight last month.
Pimblett looked to have put on significant weight since the Ferguson fight
British UFC star Pimblett scored a unanimous decision over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296
Pimblett posed for a photo with his other half during the festive period and appears to have repeated the pattern of previous fights, gorging himself after cutting down and being disciplined during training camp.
Felder, who retired and has worked as a broadcaster and analyst for the UFC and recently was put back on the roster, has previously fought at lightweight and welterweight.
Perhaps the pair could even meet next, given their profiles and it would be a hugely popular contest on ‘The Irish Dragon’s’ comeback.
