• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Paddy Pimblett refusing to watch Qatar World Cup because 'Molly McCann wouldn't be welcome there'

Home> Football

Published 03:51 7 Dec 2022 GMT

Paddy Pimblett refusing to watch Qatar World Cup because 'Molly McCann wouldn't be welcome there'

"I'm not watching that World Cup, lad. Molly wouldn't be welcome there so why would I watch it?"

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Paddy Pimblett says he has not watching the World Cup in Qatar, citing the nation's criminalisation of homosexuality as his reason.

The UFC fan favourite admitted he's refused to follow the tournament this year because 'Molly [McCann wouldn't be welcome there'.

Ever since Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, the entire thing has been shrouded in controversy.

From the alleged fixed bidding to the thousands of migrant workers who have died building the stadiums, there's many reasons why people have turned their backs on it.

Advert

Alamy

But for millions others, Pimblett included, the Gulf country's stance and subsequent treatment of the LGBTQIA+ community is why they're refusing to tune in this year.

Speaking to SPORTbible Australia ahead of his co-headliner bout at UFC 282, Pimblett was asked whether he'd been tracking England's progress.

"No, I have not been watching the World Cup," he said.

Advert

"I'm not watching that World Cup, lad. Molly [McCann] wouldn't be welcome there so why would I watch it?"

UFC flyweight McCann is one of a number of openly-gay athletes competing in the UFC.

Advert

While no male fighter has come out yet, the female divisions have a few LGBTQIA+ members, most notably current two-weight champion Amanda Nunes.

As for McCann, who has quickly become one of the most-loved mixed martial artists on the planet, she has previously admitted that she won't be watching the World Cup in Qatar.

"I'm not bothered about that," she responded when asked her about England's chances ahead of her bout at UFC 281.

"I'm not feeling the Qatar vibes and all the human rights that haven't gone down there. I won't even be watching it."

Advert

Alamy

Not only does McCann's talent speak for itself, but it's what she's been doing outside of the octagon which separates her from the rest.

Like her good pal Patrick, McCann has been using her platform to speak on topics far more important than simply MMA.

Earlier this year, she joined MPs, trade unions and thousands of locals from Merseyside to support Enough is Enough, which is a campaign that aims to tackle the cost-of-living crisis in the UK.

Advert

“I am a child from poverty. I understand what poverty is,” McCann said in an emotional speech given at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall.

“Where I grew up, we had no heat, we had no food. There was times when I had to eat bags of sugar because that was all that was in the pantry… I would never want another child in this city or in this country to feel how I f**king felt as a kid.”

During her post-fight speeches at UFC events, she has become renowned for starting “f**k the Tories” chants.

“You working class... everybody who’s come for me, I appreciate you,” McCann said during her octagon interview back at UFC London.

“It’s those walk-outs, it’s that energy that you bring, that’s what gets [fighters] finishes.”

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/meatballmolly/thebaddyufc/Supplied

Topics: MMA, UFC, Paddy Pimblett, Football, Football World Cup, Qatar

Max Sherry
Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

X

@maxysherry

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Dana White reveals if Paddy Pimblett vs Ilia Topuria will happen in the UFC following octagon face off
  • Paddy Pimblett spots reporter who asked him 'wild' question about Molly McCann two years ago and he never forgot his face
  • Paddy Pimblett breaks his silence as new footage emerges of him refusing to let go of choke despite rival tapping
  • Paddy Pimblett reveals truth behind gym spar where he choked out internet rival

Choose your content:

an hour ago
8 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson left 'furious' by 'careless' piece of commentary by Martin Tyler as full story revealed

    Martin Tyler angered Sir Alex Ferguson with his comment on commentary and apologised to the Manchester United legend.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Thibaut Courtois calls out his own Real Madrid teammates as he makes outrageous claim after PSG defeat

    Real Madrid were eliminated from the Club World Cup following their crushing defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Real Madrid fans turn on two players after embarrassing defeat to PSG in FIFA Club World Cup

    Los Blancos were hammered 4-0 by the Champions League winners.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    PSG handed Club World Cup final blow as two players immediately banned for Chelsea clash

    Paris Saint-Germain will be without two key players for the Club World Cup final against Chelsea.

    Football