Paddy Pimblett Calls For Anfield To Host UFC Event And Invites Dana White To Attend A Liverpool Game

Liverpool hero Paddy Pimblett has called on UFC boss Dana White to schedule an event at Anfield, and invited him to attend a Champions League night at the ground.

Pimblett, 30, made his UFC debut in 2021. He has won all seven of his fights so far and is now one of the most popular fighters in all of mixed martial arts.

He has been desperate to headline an event in his home city, but Liverpool has not hosted the UFC since 2018.

London and Manchester have been the preferred destinations when the promotion has visited the UK in recent years.

However, Pimblett is keen to see that change, and suggested Premier League champions Liverpool’s Anfield stadium would be the ideal venue.

Paddy Pimblett Invited Dana White To Anfield For Liverpool Game

A major reason the UFC has opted to hold shows in other UK cities instead of Liverpool is that the city’s largest indoor venue, the M&S Bank Arena, only has a capacity of 11,000.

Pimblett has therefore suggested Anfield, with its 61,000-seat capacity, would be a perfect setting.

Dana White tends not to like holding events in outdoor stadiums, though. This is due to the potential for rain – something that’s always a risk in England – and the lack of atmosphere in some stadiums.

But Paddy ‘the Baddy’ says there would be no better place for a Liverpool who, and personally invited White to attend a Liverpool match to change his mind about the atmosphere.

Pimblett said: “It needs to be Anfield. That’s the only, the only viable place to do it. And I know Dana doesn’t like doing stadiums, he’s done it in Australia, but Anfield is different.

“He needs to come to Anfield on a Champions League night or when we play Manchester United or something like that, or even the blue s*** [Everton].

“You need to come and watch because you’d be like ‘wow, this is unbelievable’.”

Paddy Pimblett Next Fight Likely To Be Against Justin Gaethje

Last month, Pimblett earned a statement victory against Michael Chandler.

He has since stated that he would prefer to fight Ilia Topuria in Ocotober, but Paddy Pimblett’s next fight is most likely to be against Justin Gaethje.

This is because Topuria is scheduled to fight Brazilian Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title on 28 June.

Gaethje, meanwhile, does not have a fight booked at the moment. He is also third in the latest UFC lightweight rankings, with Pimblett stating he wants to face a top-five fighter.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Pimblett said: “I’m hoping to fight in Abu Dhabi in October. I think that’s when I’m going to be back in the cage.

“I was thinking Ilia might call me out if he wins [vs Oliveira]. I’d love to beat him if he gets the belt.

“I’d love to fight him anyway but he’s booked, so I think it’s more than likely Justin Gaethje.”

Paddy Pimblett Record Means Title Shot Is Inevitable

Momentum has been steadily building behind Paddy Pimblett in the UFC.

With seven fights and seven wins in the promotion, he has done everything asked of him inside the octagon.

And with his outspoken and box-office personality, Pimblett is a ready-made star with a huge draw.

But while a title shot has not yet come his way, he believes that opportunity will come if he wins his next fight.

“One win away and I’ll be fighting for the belt. Yeah, that’s always been the aim. It’s the only aim that we have,” said Pimblett.

Paddy Pimblett’s overall MMA record stands at 23 wins and three losses from 26 fights.