Jordan Leavitt has mixed feelings about his upcoming fight with Paddy Pimblett.
Leavitt (10-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) meets Pimblett (18-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) on July 23 at UFC Fight Night in London where he’ll have a chance to shut down the rising star’s hype in enemy territory. But as exciting as the opportunity is for Leavitt, he admits that the matchmaking has him wondering if he’s being underestimated.
“Honestly I was a bit offended because he’s been kind of picking fights that are easy,” Leavitt said in an interview with The Schmo. “I’m like, I must have looked really bad in my last fight to get this fight, so very flattered, kind of offended, but also excited.”
Not only will he face one of the more popular fighters on the roster, but Leavitt will do it in front of an expected sold-out O2 Arena in Pimblett’s home country of England.
“I’m kind of excited because they’re gonna get quiet when I finish the fight,” Leavitt said. “They’re probably gonna riot when I twerk on them, so I’m excited. I’m really excited to meet him, I think he’s hilarious, I think the fight’s gonna be a lot of fun, and I’m intrigued to see how it’s gonna go.”
With more than half his wins coming by submission, Leavitt can envision submitting Pimblett but has an inkling that the fight goes the distance.
“Statistically speaking, I think it’s gonna be submission,” Leavitt said. “But if I had to put my money on it, I think it’s gonna be a very awkward decision. I think this fight is gonna be very strange.”
Why Jordan Leavitt is ‘a bit offended’ he drew Paddy Pimblett for UFC London fight