Paddy Pimblett says Dan Hooker crossed the line, not him.
Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) used an inappropriate analogy when explaining how bad Hooker’s grappling is, where he mentioned his mother. Pimblett insists the insult was not directed at his mother personally.
Hooker (24-13 MMA, 14-9 UFC) fired back by bringing up Pimblett’s friend who took his own life – and that did not sit well at all with the Brit.
“I never said nothing bad about his mom,” Pimblett told Fox Sports Australia. “Mrs. Hooker is probably a lovely woman, and I never said a bad word about his mom. But then he goes on and says something about my dead mate who can’t defend himself so it was a bit weird. I had my friend’s family messaging me saying what’s going on here and all that.
“So, the way people have went on about what I said, but no one condoned what he said, and said, ‘What are you doing mentioning someone who’s dead?’ is very, very strange. But that’s the MMA world for you. No matter what I do, no matter what I say, people will make me look like the worst man alive when I just used an analogy for how bad Dan Hooker’s grappling is.”
Pimblett takes on Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in the UFC 324 headliner on Jan. 24. Meanwhile, Hooker will be seen in action a week later when he meets Benoit Saint Denis in the UFC 325 co-main event on Jan. 31.
“The Baddy” doesn’t see himself crossing paths with Hooker.
“Dan Hooker is beneath me now, especially when I win this belt,” Pimblett continued. “He’s 5-5 in his last 10. He’s an absolute crab. People are calling Michael Chandler washed, and Michael Chandler knocked him out in 2 minutes, so what’s Dan Hooker? You don’t mention dead people, and that’s what Dan Hooker’s done. Dan Hooker’s mentioned a dead person and basically tried to say it was my fault he killed himself, saying that I’m not a good friend. That’s below the belt. What I said was nothing to do with his mom.”
