Paddy Pimblett says he ‘welcomes’ Conor McGregor fight after Irishman said he was ‘interested’ in UFC 314 bout with Michael Chandler but American claims he ‘doesn’t care’

• Paddy Pimblett faces Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314
• Conor McGregor has made a point of saying he is interested in the fight 

By SPENCER MORGAN

Paddy Pimblett and Michael Chandler gave differing reactions as they were asked for their thoughts on Conor McGregor’s statement of interest in their UFC 314 bout on Saturday night.

The two men will face off in the co-main event in Miami and it is thought that the winner could be the one to welcome McGregor back to the octagon, should he decide to make a return.

Conor McGregor hinted on Thursday that he may be considering a comeback with a new post on social media.

McGregor, who is currently in Dubai, shared a video of himself hitting pads next to a tennis court.

Alongside the clip he wrote: ‘I am interested in the Chandler/Pimblett fight this weekend’ while tagging both the UFC and owners TKO.  

‘I seen it obviously, I got sent it by a good few people,’ Pimbeltt said about McGregor’s message. ‘I welcome that fight. That’s where the money’s at.

Michael Chandler (L) and Paddy Pimblett (R) face off at the UFC 314 pre-fight press conference

Conor McGregor has stated that he will be watching the fight on Saturday with interest

McGregor shared a video of himself hitting pads in Dubai on Thursday evening with a message

‘But I can’t look past Michael. I’ve got to fight Michael on Saturday night and get the win here. That’s all that matters.’

‘I’m sure he’s watching,’ Chandler said as he gave his own reaction at the UFC 314 pre-fight press conference. ‘He watches and he is very interested in coming back but can he put together a training camp? That’s the real question. 

‘We don’t know. All I know is you can see by my actions fighting Charles Oliveira in November and now fighting five months later Paddy Pimblett, putting my ranking on the line, going out to brave the unknown, I’m going to stay active.

‘The first 26 months in the organization, I weighed in six times, fought five times. Fight of the Night, Fight of the Year, Debut of the Year, Knockout of the Year, all I do is put on great fights. I do it for you guys and on Saturday night, we’re going to do it again. I don’t really care what Conor tweets. If he comes back, we’ve got to finish The Ultimate Fighter 31 and he’s going to be impressed by my performance on Saturday night.’

McGregor has not fought since losing to Dustin Poirier for the second time nearly four years ago, a bout where he suffered a horrific leg break.

He was scheduled to face Chandler last summer after their time as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter but pulled out due to a broken toe and has shown little interest in competing since, until now.

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Paddy Pimblett says he ‘welcomes’ Conor McGregor fight after Irishman said he was ‘interested’ in UFC 314 bout with Michael Chandler but American claims he ‘doesn’t care’

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