Paddy Pimblett didn’t waste any time celebrating his victory at UFC 314. The moment the bout ended, attention shifted to something that had been hanging in the air all week: Conor McGregor‘s enormous $500,000 bet on Michael Chandler to knock out ‘The Baddy’ and help him win $2.5 million. Taking to his Instagram story, ‘The Notorious’ revealed that he bet on Michael Chandler winning the fight via KO/TKO. Well, as expected, ‘The Baddy’ had heard about the wager long before he entered the cage. But today, after a crushing TKO victory, he finally had his say—and it was typical Pimblett.
“Cheeky bastard. Cheeky little b——. Exactly. Know what I mean?” Pimblett said, half-laughing, half-grinning as the cameras rolled. “I didn’t expect that from Conor, lad. You know what I mean?” He didn’t sound angry; he sounded entertained instead as if he’d just defeated a rival from a distance. The Irishman’s wager was more than just backing Chandler. It was about sending a message to Pimblett, and the Scouser made sure to send one right back. The kind of message you don’t forget when you’re sitting on such a massive financial loss.
With that adrenaline still sizzling around him, Paddy Pimblett delivered what could be one of his most important callouts. “If you want to come back, Con, I’m here, son. I’m waiting.” That wasn’t a throwaway line; it was bait. The timing was excellent. Conor McGregor’s return has been hyped for years, and with Michael Chandler out of the picture, Pimblett has pushed his way to the front of the line. Also, it would help the Irishman recover the money he lost. It’s unclear whether ‘The Notorious’ will accept the challenge, but Pimblett has made sure everyone, even Dana White, is thinking about it.
Paddy Pimblett calls out Conor McGregor after he bet $500K on Michael Chandler:
“Cheeky little bastard. I didn’t expect that from Conor. If you want to come back, I’m here son. I’m waiting.”
@jonbernardk #UFC314pic.twitter.com/NdA8T2Q8St
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 13, 2025
For Conor McGregor, the failed bet did more than dent his wallet. It generated buzz, something he has always thrived on. Even in his absence, his shadow looms over the UFC, and now there’s a young, emerging challenger with a massive win and a growing fan base. Whether this becomes a meaningful negotiation or just another headline depends on what McGregor does next. But for Pimblett, this was more than just a victory over Michael Chandler. It was a statement, with the Irishman’s name all over it. But it is worth noting that McGregor wasn’t the only fighter who got called out by ‘The Baddy.’
Paddy Pimblett reveals his hit hitlist after UFC 314 win
With the fans still buzzing from his upset over Chandler, Paddy Pimblett wasted no time shifting gears from celebration to conflict. His reaction to Conor McGregor’s wager was enough to generate headlines, but even before his recent callout to the Irishman, he made it clear that McGregor wasn’t the only name on his mind. There was a distinct vibe after the fight, one that hinted at something grander to come. And when he took the microphone, he did not hold back. Paddy Pimblett set up a four-man hit list, letting everyone know that he’s no longer playing around.
Pimblett called out Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan with both admiration and fire. He honored Poirier and Oliveira’s legacy, even dubbing ‘Do Bronx’ the finest submission artist in UFC history, before swiftly stating that he was going to test that. But when it came to Tsarukyan, it got personal. Pimblett accused him of avoiding the spotlight, criticizing him for dropping out of the Islam Makhachev fight and calling him a “little posh boy who s—- his pants.”
Pimblett appears to know where he stands. He isn’t asking for shortcuts; he wants the sharks first. And if one of those names bites, particularly Tsarukyan, that could be the final push he needs before attempting a serious run at the title. For the time being, ‘The Baddy’ has made it obvious that he will no longer climb the rankings quietly anymore. What do you think? Who will we fight next? Let us know in the comments.
The post Hit With $2.5M Loss, Conor McGregor Offered Lifeline in Paddy Pimblett’s Blunt Callout at UFC 314 appeared first on EssentiallySports.
