Paddy Pimblett laughs off UFC 319 talk

Dana Becker

Paddy Pimblett laughs off UFC 319 talk image

Dricus du Plessis, who defends his UFC middleweight title later this summer against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, tried to play the role of reporter recently.

A video of du Plessis hit the open public in which he is talking to friends about a co-main event for the Chicago card featuring Paddy Pimblett against Justin Gaethje.

"It's gonna be a big card," du Plessis said. "The co-main event is Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje."

While that would be a potential for "Fight of the Year," it comes as news to Pimblett, who was just inside the Octagon with new UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria over the weekend.

"Yous are mad if you think I'm fighting in August," Pimblett posted on social media.

Pimblett was invited in Las Vegas to square off with Topuria after he finished Charles Oliveira. UFC president Dana White let it be known that he was not happy with the move, as the promotion has yet to confirm anything regarding the title in the division.

Pimblett has won nine in a row, including each of his seven UFC fights. In April, he finished Michael Chandler to secure his fifth "Performance of the Night" bonus.

UFC 319 marks the first event in Chicago for the promotion since June 2019. Along with du Plessis vs. Chimaev, Jared Cannonier takes on Michael Page, King Green battles Carlos Diego Ferreira and Tim Elliott fights Kai Asakura.

Dana Becker

Dana Becker is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has been a sports writer since 2000, covering high school sports, the Big 12 and more for On SI, The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others.