“This would make a great fight” - Internet reacts as Paddy Pimblett pulled away from heated encounter with Colby Covington

The internet reacted hilariously to Paddy Pimblett’s backstage confrontation with Colby Covington.

Pimblett, who had just defeated Michael Chandler before the third round ended to win the UFC 314’s lightweight co-main event, was giving interviews backstage after his big win on April 12. In ESPN’s viral clip, Pimblett can be seen reacting to a passing Colby Covington, who said a few words to provoke the English MMA fighter. Both Pimblett and Covington got into a fight, and after an intense verbal exchange that involved Pimblett threatening to “slap” the American fighter, the two had to be restrained by the onlookers.

The internet broke into a frenzy in reaction to the viral clip. UFC fans were excited to see the brawl, even writing that the backstage spat made for a great fight. Covington’s fans seemed to largely agree that Pimblett would likely win a full-fledged fight between the two if such an event were to take place.

A netizen took to X to express his desire to see Covington and Pimblett fight, writing,

“This would make a great fight”

Another fan emphatically insisted on seeing the two fighters spar against each other, writing,

“LET THEM FIGHT!”

Echoing the majority’s sentiment that Pimblett, who is also known as ‘Baddy,’ would steal a bout between him and Covington, a fan wrote on X,

“The Baddy would wreck him. Colby’s just looking for a final big pay day.”

Similarly, another Pimblett fan took to X to point out Covington’s recent track record, adding,

“Colby's no longer a fighter, he's a social media influencer now lol”

Another former Covington fan wrote,

“I used to be a Colby fan… I have been reformed.”

While the fan response to the backstage fight was largely tipped in Paddy Pimblett’s favor, a UFC fan took to X to point out that Covington, who is also known as ‘Chaos,’ would not be far behind, writing,

“Prime Colby mops paddy let’s be real”

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Paddy Pimblett and his feud with Colby Covington

Last year, a fight between Paddy Pimblett and Colby Covington was teased by the English fighter in a conversation with the Liverpool Echo. Pimblett told the news outlet that he would be willing to be moved to the welterweight category to fight Covington. He said at the time,

“if they want to get me Colby [Covington] or McGregor at welterweight, I’d do it.”

Pimblett shared that it would not be a big challenge for him to be put up against welterweight fighters, saying,

“I’d fight either at welterweight because they aren’t massive welterweights. I don’t think many welterweights are that big compared to me”

Bloody Elbow reports that since Pimblett challenged him, Covington has taken jibes at the English fighter multiple times during interviews.

More recently, in March, Pimblett, in one of his vlogs, shared that he ran into Covington. Detailing the encounter, Pimblett took a shot at Covington, saying,

“We ended up going to Power Slap Friday night, that was an experience…Walked past Colby Covington. He stared at the floor. Talks a big game online, sh**s his undies in person.”

At the UFC 314 post-fight conference, Paddy Pimblett was asked about his backstage spat with Covington.

“Mr. Irrelevant trying to stay relevant. The f***in whopper…just come over and start chatting s**t, didn’t he lad. Because he seen there was a camera. Come over and start to say, ‘Oh you fight scrubs.’…He's an absolute bum lad. He’s nearly 40. He’s trying to stay relevant by jumping on me while if there's a camera there, well not jumping on me just talking s**t.”

Meanwhile, it remains doubtful if a fight between Paddy Pimblett and Covington will take place. Bloody Elbow reported that Pimblett has instead issued a challenge to Charles Oliveira and set up a fight with him.