Paddy Pimblett - trash talks and Quotes

“The only thing that's wrong with me is my eyeballs, from fingernails scratching my eyeballs. Hopefully we can run it back because there's a couple things in that fight that pissed me off”

– via his YouTube channel, addressing the eye poke controversy from his interim title loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324.

“Nice to see Dan get TKO'd after the sh*t he was chatting. He probably enjoyed me losing last week; that was probably a generational hate watch for him. I never got finished, though”

– via his YouTube channel, reacting to the UFC 325 result of Dan Hooker

“The one thing that has made me laugh, though, is I did say before the fight I wanted to make his face look different, and for a couple of days, he made my face look different... as you can see now, it's a week later, there is nothing wrong with me. The only thing's wrong with me is [that] I probably got a scratched cornea or something like that”

– via his YouTube channel, reflecting on his appearance following the five round war with Justin Gaethje at UFC 324.

“I'm all good no injuries, went into the fight feeling amazing... no excuses the better man won on the night @justin_gaethje... Hopefully we can run it back for the undisputed because I still know it's in my destiny to win that gold”

– via Instagram, breaking his silence after his five—round war at UFC 324.

“I wanted to be walking away with that belt, Joe. I know how tough I am anyway; I don’t need to prove it to anyone. I wanted to leave with that belt, but there’s no other man I’d rather lose to than 'The Highlight', know what I mean? Justin Gaethje is someone I’ve loved watching growing up and watching the UFC. It shows why he’s a legend, right there”

– via his post fight interview with Joe Rogan after his interim title loss at UFC 324

“He's asking you why Arman's trying to be like me, going around eating food. It's because he's got no personality and he's a little nit”

– via UFC 324 pre fight press conference after Dana White was questioned about Arman Tsarukyan’s aggressive media tour.

“I look at Dustin Poirier... He's come out and said, 'I'm having a retirement fight' and then he looked like a piece of dog sh*t. Got his head punched in for five rounds and looked like sht... If you're gonna retire, you can just do it. You don't wanna tell everyone, put too much expectation on his shoulders and got muffed in his own backyard. Made himself look stupid”

“I'm not Khabib. No one else is. I'm me. I'm an even harder puzzle to solve. I'm proper weird. You knew what Khabib was going to do. You don't know what I'm coming to do”

– via the UFC 324 pre fight press conference, firing back at Justin Gaethje's assessment of his grappling skills.

“Don't book any games of golf with Gaethje, lad. He's not going to be playing for a while”

– via UFC 324 weigh—in show, issuing a warning to Daniel Cormier about his opponent's post fight health.

“We’re in there to hurt each other. We’re not having a pillow fight... He won’t be physically the same after this fight. I will. I will be exactly the same. I’m going to put a beatdown on him like he’s never received”

– via UFC 324 media day interview, setting an ice cold tone for his clash with Justin Gaethje.

“It doesn’t make sense but you’d be an idiot to say no to fighting Conor McGregor. Wouldn’t you? Let’s be honest. Everybody knows that’s the biggest money fight you can get in this sport”

– via Full Send MMA, responding to the possibility of facing Conor McGregor following the news that the Michael Chandler matchup has been shelved.

“He's gonna have to wait. He made me wait, he can wait a few months. April is not happening, lad… he can eat sh*t. I'll fight in June/July.”

– via TMZ Sports (January 20, 2026), shutting down the proposed unification timeline with Ilia Topuria.

“When you do this sport if your dream isn't to be the best, that is the best, that was the best, the best that ever will be, then you're in the wrong game. That's always been my dream... Islam is higher on the GOAT discussion than Khabib now, because he is a two weight champion”

– via AppliedNutri explaining his updated MMA hierarchy following the events of late 2025.

“When you do this sport if your dream isn't to be the best, that is the best, that was the best, the best that ever will be, then you're in the wrong game. That's always been my dream... Islam is higher on the GOAT discussion than Khabib now, because he is a two weight champion”

– via AppliedNutri explaining his updated MMA hierarchy following the events of late 2025.

“You are always too nice, lad. I would've said, 'You dirty, horrible big c**t. You know what I mean? 'You dirty cheating s**t.' I would've got way more swear words out of that... Wash you f**king finger nails you stuffy c**t.”

– via Tom Aspinall Official YouTube roasting Ciryl Gane during a 2026 predictions sit down with the heavyweight champion.

“If I ever got offered to fight Arman, I would have punched his head in by now. He irritates me. He's an absolute helmet”

– via MMA Junkie and Gym Media Day (January 16, 2026), responding to the persistent narrative that he is "ducking" the #1 contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

“It’s just like fighting Chandler again. That’s the way I’m looking at this. He’s got one way to catch me, and I’ve got about 50 different ways to finish him”

– via Applied Nutrition, comparing his UFC 324 opponent Justin Gaethje to his most recent victory

“He f****** pulled out of the Islam fight with a ‘bad back’ when really he just couldn’t make weight. He got offered to fight [Mateusz] Gamrot, said ‘no’ and took the most favorable matchup Dan Hooker, who can’t grapple to save his ma’s life”

– via Tom Aspinall Official YouTube , doubling down on his claims that Arman Tsarukyan is being strategic with his "injuries" and opponent choices.

“An amateur here (Paddy's gym) could look good against Dan Hooker. You know what I mean? Someone actually here who can do jiu—jitsu would look good against Dan Hooker. Dan Hooker doesn't know how to do jiu—jitsu. He's a banger… I like watching him fight. He's a scrapper. He can't do jiu—jitsu. He’s bad at it”

– via Tom Aspinall Official YouTube, continuing his relentless verbal assault on Dan Hooker’s ground game.

“Sad to say, but I think I’m gonna retire him”

– via an exclusive interview with ESPN UK (January 15, 2026), predicting the end of Justin Gaethje’s legendary career ahead of their UFC 324 interim title clash.

“It’s annoying that people are saying I’m ducking Arman, I’ve never been offered to fight Arman. If I were ever offered that fight, I would’ve punched his head in by now. He irritates me. I think he’s an absolute helmet. So yeah, I’d fight Arman in a heartbeat. If Ilia can’t fight until June or July, he should be stripped because he’s holding the division up. I’ll defend against Arman, Max, Charles, whoever. I don’t care”

– via pre fight media interaction in Las Vegas (January 15, 2026), addressing the #1 contender’s claims that he is being "protected" by the UFC.

“I never said nothing bad about his mom. But then he goes and says something about my ded mate. You don't mention ded people... and he basically tried to say it was my fault he killed himself, saying I'm not a good friend. That's below the belt”

– via Main Event (January 15, 2026), addressing the breakdown of his friendship with Dan Hooker following an ugly social media escalation.

“I'll keep it on the feet with him. There's the blueprint to beat him — Max did it. You'll see, come January 24, when we have a perfect game plan and we finish him in three”

– via TNT Sports (January 13, 2026), revealing a shocking striking centric game plan for his UFC 324 interim title fight against Justin Gaethje.

“Ilia is very small compared to me. He's not that wide. There are weight classes for a reason. If he wants to fight me at 155, he'll seriously get messy on his face.”

– via UFC on TNT (January 13, 2026), doubling down on his size advantage over the undisputed lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria

“You took a hypothetical joke about how bad your grappling is and responded by talking s*** about my mate who committed suicide? Now that’s lowest of the low and on [sight] is fine by me you’re utter dogsh** at fighting”

– via social media, responded to the "RIP Ricky" comment with outrage, effectively ending their friendship.

“Dan Hooker couldn't grapple a f***ing rapist off his ma.”

– via an interview with The MMA Guru (January 9, 2026), sparking the most toxic lightweight feud of the new year by using a graphic analogy to mock the Kiwi’s wrestling

“We are fighters, we can say what we want about each other, but mentioning family is below the belt. I wish him nothing but the best, mate. I hope it all gets resolved and he gets to see his child, lad”

– via The MMA Guru’s YouTube channel (January 9, 2026), taking a surprisingly respectful stance regarding Ilia Topuria’s ongoing legal and family struggles.

“People are saying Ilia’s not going to be back for at least a year. I don’t know his personal situation. People are saying it could get messy, and it could end up being like two years if it gets dragged out. Lad, if he’s going to sit out for that long, I’d rather him just vacate and stop holding the division up... But I do want to fight him. So it’s a catch—22. But at the same time, if he’s going to have me waiting like Tom [Aspinall] was waiting for Jon [Jones], then no, just vacate and let the division crack on”

– via youtube during an interaction with Tom Aspinall expressing his frustration over the uncertainty surrounding the lightweight title.

“I think if I win and he wins, and I get upgraded to undisputed champ, it wouldn't surprise me if [Volk] thinks that's the perfect opportunity to win the lightweight belt. I don't want to fight Volk, I proper like Volk”

– via Social media, during a "Tea with Tom" segment on Tom Aspinall's YouTube channel, predicting a massive 2026 title collision with the featherweight king.

“[Hooker] nearly guillotined him, which shows how bad Arman's grappling is... He beat Dariush who's about 48. A lot of people don't think he beat Charles. And then he fought f**king Dan Hooker who's, let's be honest, sh*t”

– via his YouTube channel, launching a "scorched earth" verbal attack on Arman Tsarukyan

“Evloev's just a sleeping bag, he just lies on top of you. No one really wants to watch Evloev fight. He's so boring”

– via a "Tea with Tom" segment on Tom Aspinall's YouTube channel, taking a shot at the undefeated featherweight contender's fighting style.

“Luke Riley vs. Kevin Vallejos. Arman vs. back pain”

– via a recent social media Q&A revealing his most anticipated "dream matchups" for the coming year while excluding himself from the list.

“I've never had a war in all my years of fighting, so I'm looking forward to one... People are laughing at me when I say I'm gonna stand with him, but I am. People think I'm just gonna shoot in the first 10 seconds, I'm not. I'm gonna stand with him, and I'm gonna put it on him... He's more of a boxer with leg kicks, and I'm an MMA striker.via Sky Sports, outlining his bold strategy for his interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje.”

“A while ago, me and moicano were having a back and forth. I was saying me and him should do the ultimate fighter... but it just never ended up happening. I'd do one with Ilia, but they'd have to have security there 24/7.”

– via his YouTube channel, expressing willingness to coach on "The Ultimate Fighter" opposite Ilia Topuria

“He's got a lot going on in his personal life. I wish him nothing but the best. That has got nothing to do with me and him fighting. That's his family, and i hope everything goes well. I hope that goes perfectly for him. All i care about is getting him in that octagon and fighting him... But you never know, if he doesn't come back by june,[or] july, then he might have to vacate his belt, and i'll become undisputed champion without even fighting.”

– viaan interview with ESPN Deportes, discussing Ilia Topuria's personal hiatus and suggesting that if Topuria does not return to fight by June or July, he might have to vacate the belt, allowing Pimblett to become the undisputed champion.

“Arman is an idiot. He just talks a big game, and he’s sh*t. He dug his own grave and pulled out of a title fight. He thinks that because his dad’s a millionaire, he can pay his way into things like this. It doesn’t work like that with the ufc. Sit down, shut up, and do what you’re told.”

– via an interview with Carlos Legaspi, slamming Arman Tsarukyan for talking a big game and claiming that Tsarukyan's attempt to use wealth to influence title opportunities "doesn't work" in the UFC.

“Everyone’s gonna be shocked because i think i’m gonna knock him out. People won’t expect that. People just think i’m going to grapple and take him down, but i’m not. I’m going to come out and put it on him. I don’t see him getting past the third, just like chandler.”

– via Red Corner MMA, claiming that he will shock everyone by knocking out Justin Gaethje and stating that he has no intention of relying on grappling

“I will win this interim belt and then i will beat ilia [topuria] up and take the proper belt. Defend that and i will go up and win the welterweight belt.”

– via Red Corner MMA, outlining his ambitious plan to win the interim lightweight belt, defeat Ilia Topuria for the undisputed title, defend it, and then move up to welterweight to win that championship as well.

“2026 is going to be the biggest year of my life. I'm coming for that interim title, then I'll be making it undisputed title when I come and beat Ilia Topuria up. Then little posh boy [Arman]... I'll punch his head in as well”

– via the UFC, outlining his plans for 2026 to win both the interim and undisputed lightweight titles, and then fight Arman Tsarukyan.

“2026 is going to be the biggest year of my life. I'm coming for that interim title, then I'll be making it undisputed title when I come and beat Ilia Topuria up. Then little posh boy [Arman]... I'll punch his head in as well”

– via the UFC, outlining his plans for 2026 to win both the interim and undisputed lightweight titles, and then fight Arman Tsarukyan.

“You like apples? @ArmanUfc”

– via X, trolling Arman Tsarukyan after the interim title fight against Justin Gaethje was announced.

“(Justin) is being a proper b*tch, saying the UFC owe him, and he deserves it and all that. No one's owed nothing. You fight for it... I know he's a legend, and obviously he's done a lot for the company and all that, but you can't just demand a title shot”

– criticizing Justin Gaethje for claiming the UFC owes him.

“Pound for Pound no. 1, unbelievable performance. I think Islam goes down as one of the best ever”

– Paddy Pimblett, hailing Islam Makhachev as the new Pound for Pound king following his win at UFC 322

“Just want to get a fight signed, man. All Ilia has done is talk sh*t about me, saying I'm sh*t, saying I don't deserve to fight him. After his last fight, we got in the cage and he pushed me.I think it's happening, and now he's stalling. He's not saying yes to the fight. He's stalling. If I'm that sh*t, lad, why don't you take an easy fight and just beat me then? Step up. As [Mike] Tyson said, 'Sign the contract, big boy”

– calling out Ilia Topuria for a Title fight

“Islam was chatting pony the other day, asking who I have beaten when he got a title shot at lightweight off beating Bobby Green, someone who I beat faster than you, you little b*m. So, how about that one, Islam? Get back down to lightweight and I’ll punch your little head in as well”

– reacted that he wanted JDM to beat Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 via UFC Europe

“I hope JDM [Della Maddalena] absolutely punches his little head in. I hope JDM batters him. I think JDM’s a much better boxer. If he can keep it on the feet, then he will absolutely batter him, and I hope he does.”

– reacted that he wanted JDM to beat Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 via UFC Europe

“I'd absolutely smash his face in. I can see me beating him anywhere the fight goes.”

– trash talking about Ilia Topuria

“Probably McGregor because of the way he spoke... He was just knocking people out. Tons of people were scared of him, similar to Tyson when he first came for the belt, he was just knocking people out, and he was a mentality monster”

– shares how Conor McGregor inspired him via his YT Channel

“One of the worst PPV's in UFC history... I feel bad for Ciryl Gane, even though it was his fault. It's was unintentional he didn't mean to do it”

– reacting to the anti climactic ending of the Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane fight at #UFC321 via YT

“Right now I’m struggling to get a fight.People talk a lot behind the scenes saying: ‘I want to fight him, I want to fight him’, and then when it comes time for the fight, they don’t accept it. So I’m sitting in limbo waiting for the fight.I thought I was going to fight Gaethje in Abu Dhabi in October, but he’s not going to be involved,Dan Hooker is going to fight Arman Tsarukyan and Charles [Oliveira] just fought Gamrot. There’s no one else I can fight, apart from Ilia Topuria, so hopefully that fight will be sorted out.”

– via Marca