Rising UFC star and passionate Liverpudlian, Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett, has now named which footballer he would love to fight given the opportunity.

I think it would be fair to say that most football fans have certain players they really don’t like; whether it be for diving, play acting or simply for scoring the winning goal against your favourite team.

Paddy Pimblett is no different and perhaps it is no surprise that the player in question is from one of Liverpool’s biggest rivals in recent seasons, Manchester City.

Paddy Pimblett names the footballer he most wants to fight

The man himself is none other than Portuguese international, Bernardo Silva.

Speaking to Ray Parlour and Alan Brazil on Pub Talk, Pimblett listed out his reasons for his choice.

“It’s Bernardo Silva, lad. I don’t know anyone who likes Bernardo Silva, lad. He’s an unbelievable footballer. He’s a proper baller. But he’s a horrible wrong’un. He’s a piece of s**t.

“That time when they gave us [Liverpool] a guard of honour, and he just stood there. Come on lad.”

Bernardo Silva in action for Portugal

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 24: Bernardo Silva of Portugal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Portugal and Ghana at Stadium 974 on November 24, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Paddy Pimblett simply can't see past Bernardo Silva's disrespect

From a sporting perspective, clearly Pimblett has a lot of respect for the ability of the Portuguese but he can’t look past the disrespect he showed Liverpool back in 2020 and who can blame him really.

This was Liverpool’s first ever Premier League title and first top division title for 30 years. It was a hugely momentous moment in Liverpool’s history and not to adhere to the guard of honour tradition in this moment was rather disrespectful from Silva.

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In this same session with Pub Talk, Pimblett also named another footballer he had considered fighting in the past.

Video: Paddy Pimblett says he wants to fight Bernardo Silva

This time, another Portuguese international in Manchester United midfielder, Bruno Fernandes.

“Last season, when he first got signed, it was Bruno Fernandes, ‘cause of how overrated he was.”

Maybe Paddy just doesn’t like Portuguese footballers but I imagine many Liverpool fans share his believes.

Paddy Pimblett's UFC career so far

Pimblett began his career fighting at the MMA promotion Cage Warriors before switching to the UFC in 2021. Since then, he has won 3 out of 3 fights in Dana White’s promotion with another bout set to occur on Saturday against Jared Gordon at UFC 282 in Las Vegas.

Paddy Pimblett in action

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 23: Paddy Pimblett of England before his fight with Jordan Leavitt of USA in the Lightweight bout during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena on July 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Pimblett will be looking to continue his successful start in the competition and further make a name for himself.
Obviously a fight between Bernardo Silva and Paddy Pimblett is extremely unlikely to happen but should it take place for some strange reason, I can’t really look past the man trained in MMA.

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You would think the fact that The Baddy is trained to fight would probably work in his favour.

Regardless, it is still interesting to see who Pimblett dislikes in the world of football and it is probably an opinion shared by many Liverpool fans.