Rising UFC lightweight star Paddy Pimblett isn't interested in fighting a ranked opponent until the promotion increases his pay.
Pimblett spoke with the media at the post-fight conference for UFC Fight Night 204 in London following his first-round submission victory over Kazula Vargas on Saturday and revealed he wouldn't accept a matchup with anyone ranked in the top 15 at 155 pounds currently unless the promotion can work out a new deal with him that improves the 27-year old Liverpool, England native's pay per fight.
“I wouldn’t take a top 15 fight,” Pimblett said (h/t MMA Fighting). “I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t. Add some more zeroes to my contract and then I will. I think I proved tonight that I deserve a new contract. Not this little standard one.”
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He continued on to assess his own performance against Vargas and when he felt he knew the fight turned in his favor.
“That was gangster,” Pimblett said. “That was sick. I said what was going to happen and it happened. I looked a bit chiseled to start, but I’m never in a boring fight, am I? I don’t talk s***. First-round finish and I got it. As soon as I got that little judo throw and put him on his back, I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s over now.’ I was thinking of a flying triangle, but he kept holding my hand. Imagine how much it would have went off if I got that? It was a sloppy takedown attempt from me, to be honest. Quite disappointed in my performances, but I got the first-round finish and that’s all that matters.”
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