Matt Frevola is one of the last people you would expect to hear praising Paddy Pimblett.
The old lightweight candidate has been calling for a fight with 'The Baddy' for years.
Unfortunately for UFC fans, they almost certainly won't be demolished anytime soon.
Paddy Pimblett is currently looking for a top-ranked opponent after breaking into the top 15 by putting Bobby Green to sleep at UFC 304 in July. Meanwhile, Frevola is trying to get his career back on track after back-to-back knockout losses.
Matt Frevola after finishing Drew Dober at UFC 288 | IMAGO/ZUMA thread
Matt Frevola shares rare praise from Paddy Pimblett
UFC fans were divided when footage of Pimblett taking part in a gym fight went viral online.
The 30-year-old decided to settle a feud with another fighter by coming to his gym for a scrap.
Dozens of people gathered as Pimblett and his rival, Denis Frimpong, settled their differences the old-fashioned way. Footage of their fight was then shared on social media and viewed by millions.
Pimblett won when he locked in a rear naked choke. However, he nearly caused a riot when he refused to let go of the submission after his opponent tapped, prompting several bystanders to intervene before putting Frimpong out cold.
The UFC star has since faced backlash for endangering Frimpong by failing to acknowledge the tap.
Frevola has a different perspective on the battle. 'Streamrolla' gave both men props for squashing their beef in the gym.
“Honestly, there aren't many UFC fighters who would go to another gym and throw like @PaddyTheBaddy did on camera. Great respect,” Frevola tweeted on Tuesday.
He added: “[Frimpong] also held its own. Was a good scrap. Respect for both boys.”
Paddy Pimblett's rival comes to his defense
Pimblett fired back at those who targeted him for holding his choke in a statement on social media.
“He agreed in advance not to tap. You stupid idiots who don't know what you're talking about, just don't talk if you don't know the context,” he said.
“It's not my fault he tapped like a (dog emoji) when he said he was going to KO me on the feet and got out.”
Somewhat surprisingly, Pimblett is joined by the man he tried to put to sleep after the tap.
“To everyone talking about @PaddyTheBaddy not releasing the choke, relax,” Frimpong tweeted.
'It's fucking choking. I didn't even pass out, and it was leftover from a hair straightener. I went in fully expecting that if he choked he would try to kick me out, don't talk, you don't know.
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