Much-loved pundit and former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has gone viral after daring UFC star Paddy Pimblett to choke him out on live TV. As a key part of the CBS Sports Golazo panel - covering Champions League football with a comedic twist - Richards is never too far from doing something a bit on the silly side.
But his eagerness to feel the full force of the No. 5-ranked lightweight might be his worst decision yet. 'The Baddy' hasn’t been in the Octagon since April, when he secured a stunning TKO victory over Michael Chandler in Miami at UFC 314, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been keeping in shape while waiting for the right fight to mark his return.
Pimblett has been training hard at his gym and hoping for a big fight to come his way soon. On Wednesday night, the 30-year-old appeared on 'A League of Their Own' - following in the footsteps of fellow Liverpudlian Wayne Rooney, who starred in episode one of the new season - where he got the chance to put some of his moves into practice.
Paddy 'The Baddy' Puts Micah Richards in UFC Submission Move
Paddy Pimblett
Things got a little spicy when Pimblett offered to put Josh Widdicombe in a submission move, promising to put him “unconscious.” He strolled over to the comedian and explained what was going to happen - but that didn’t stop the 42-year-old from blurting out “f**king hell” in sheer pain and panic as Pimblett applied a rear naked choke.
The reaction should have been enough for Richards to avoid any confrontation, but instead he remarked: “I can take that, it’s not that bad,” and goaded the fighter even more by saying: “Come on, let’s have it!” It’s safe to say it didn’t take long for the retired defender to regret his confidence. Watch the incident below:
Richards called for a medic and then explained that his windpipe had "gone" after the pressure around his neck. A submission specialist, Pimblett has put many opponents away with that same move - including 10 US marines in a row in an epic training session.
Pimblett is desperate to return to the Octagon but has been left disappointed by the UFC not yet making a title fight with Ilia Topuria, who he had a face-off with after the Georgian-Spaniard beat Charles Oliveira to become lightweight champion in Las Vegas in June. UFC Legend Dominick Cruz is among those to tip Topuria to take the Scouser up on his proposal, but nothing has been cemented yet.