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Tag: Paddy Pimblett

  • Paddy Pimblett: ‘Fickle’ MMA Fans Will Be Back On My Side After I Knock Bobby Green Out At UFC 304

    Paddy Pimblett: ‘Fickle’ MMA Fans Will Be Back On My Side After I Knock Bobby Green Out At UFC 304

    Having seen a portion of the fanbase turn against him, UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett expects to reverse that at the expense of Bobby Green.

    Pimblett broke onto the scene in a big way following his UFC signing in 2021, winning his debut via knockout and subsequently recording two memorable submissions on home soil at London-held UFC Fight Nights in 2022.

    But just as his following grew and rise to stardom accelerated, the tide appeared to turn when “The Baddy” made his pay-per-view debut opposite Jared Gordon in Las Vegas later that year.

    While all three scorecards went in his favor, many cried robbery and began to dismiss the Liverpudlian as a legitimate threat to those high up the 155-pound ladder. And having suffered a foot injury, Pimblett had to wait a full year to answer his critics.

    Last December at UFC 296, he remained unbeaten by getting the better of former interim champion Tony Ferguson. But having once again gone to a decision, and given the length of “El Cucuy’s” losing streak entering the bout, the result appeared to do little to stifle “The Baddy’s” detractors.

    He’ll have another chance to do so at the upcoming UFC 304 pay-per-view event in Manchester, England, where Pimblett is set to share the Octagon with ranked opposition for the very first time.

    And with a violent victory over Bobby “King” Green on July 27, the former Cage Warriors champ expects the “fickle” MMA fans to start backing him once again…

    Pimblett: It’s ‘Popular’ To Hate On Me Right Now

    During a recent interview with Ben Fowlkes for Yahoo! Sports, Pimblett looked ahead to his opening assignment of 2024 and first outing on home soil in two years.

    When asked about some of the backlash he gets from the fans for topics ranging from in-cage performances to weight gain in-between his Octagon appearances, Pimblett suggested that it’s simply “popular” to speak negatively about him.

    But with a dominant and emphatic display at the expense of Green at UFC 304, “The Baddy” expects his former supporters to return.

    “Haters are gonna hate. I don’t give a f*ck what people on the Internet say, lad. I see people comment stuff all the time,” Pimblett said. “It’s a popular thing at the minute to hate on me. Ever since that Jared Gordon fight, it’s popular. Before that fight, I was the best thing since sliced bread. I was great, everyone loved me. Then I have a close decision that three judges decided I won — not me, I didn’t pick the winner — and everyone turns on you.

    “That’s the thing in this sport, lad. MMA fans are so fickle. It’s one of them. I come out in this fight and knock Bobby Green, everyone will be back on side,” Pimblett added.

    Pimblett will look to make good on his promise to finish Green inside the distance. More so than regaining fan support, that’s in order for “The Baddy” to debut in the lightweight rankings and begin his planned four-fight path to the title.

  • Paddy Pimblett Outlines Four-Fight Path To The Title After UFC 304 Return: ‘Moicano, Dariush…’

    Paddy Pimblett Outlines Four-Fight Path To The Title After UFC 304 Return: ‘Moicano, Dariush…’

    Paddy Pimblett recently revealed that he has already envisioned several potential opponents as he charts his course to the UFC lightweight title.

    Pimblett is set to square off against King Green on the main card of UFC 304, scheduled to take place at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, on July 27.

    “The Baddy’s” upcoming fight will mark his first return to the Octagon since his unanimous decision victory over lightweight veteran Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 last December. The 29-year-old Scouser has enjoyed an impressive five-fight win streak since joining the UFC in September 2021 and is eager to dazzle his home fans with another triumph.

    Pimblett is preparing for his sixth Octagon assignment, which also marks the final fight on his current contract. While a triumph in this bout would propel him into the lightweight rankings, Pimblett is already plotting his ascent to UFC gold…

    Who Are The Fighters Pimblett Is Targeting Next?

    During a recent interview with New York Post Sports, Pimblett chalked out his strategy leading up to a potential UFC lightweight title shot after his comeback bout at UFC 304.

    The Liverpudlian shared his ambition to fight Renato Moicano after his bout with Green, with whom he has been sparring verbally on social media for several months. Following this, he plans to take on Beneil Dariush.

    After these matchups, Pimblett has his sights set on challenging a top-five contender in the lightweight rankings.

    “Well, obviously Bobby Green, then I fight Moicano,” Pimblett said. “Moicano’s ranked #10 at the minute, but then he’s fighting [Benoît] Saint Denis, isn’t he? So, then, we could end up, win or lose, he could end up going down, but I’d love that.

    “Moicano, then Dariush would be perfect. He’s ranked, like, #7 or #8, and then someone in the top five, know what I mean? And then, obviously, go for the belt, if possible.”

    Pimblett has long been a prominent figure in the European mixed martial arts scene thanks to his impressive stint with Cage Warriors, where he clinched the featherweight championship.

    His popularity has only flourished throughout his time in the Octagon, marked by victories over notable opponents such as Ferguson, Jared Gordon, and Jordan Leavitt.

  • Paddy Pimblett Explains Willingness To Box Jake Paul As Current UFC Contract Nears Its End: ‘It’s All About Money…’

    Paddy Pimblett Explains Willingness To Box Jake Paul As Current UFC Contract Nears Its End: ‘It’s All About Money…’

    Paddy Pimblett will look to go undefeated in six Octagon appearances when he returns at UFC 304 on July 27.

    His fight with King Green is sure to draw lots of attention, like all of Pimblett’s fights have since the former Cage Warriors champion signed to the promotion and debuted back in 2021.

    “The Baddy” quickly became a big name on the UFC roster, but he has recently hinted at the idea of taking his huge profile elsewhere in order to cash in on a big payday.

    Pimblett revealed that his clash with Green in Manchester will be the last on his UFC contract, suggesting that he could be tempted to step inside a boxing ring if someone was to offer him a lot of money to do so.

    Paddy Pimblett Open To Boxing Jake Paul Once His UFC Contract Expires

    During a recent interview with BestOnlinePokerSites, Pimblett once again referenced how he could be tempted to step through the ropes if he gets the right offer.

    The Scouse fighter was giving his opinion on Jake Paul’s return to the ring this Saturday night against Mike Perry. He gave props to “The Problem Child” before stating that he also wouldn’t mind stepping in there with him, referencing his mindset when it comes to the fight game.

    “Give Jake Paul his dues for that one. I didn’t think he’d fight someone like Mike Perry. He’s fought a load of f****** clowns. Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley when they were both over 40, Anderson’s a Thai boxer and Woodley’s a wrestler – but Mike Perry is a boxer, he’s a striker, he’s got hands. So I’ll be honest, Jake Paul has gained a little bit of respect from me.

    “If Jake Paul sends a contract over for a couple of million dollars and wants to fight me, let’s do it. We’re prize fighters at the end of the day. That’s what people forget. We do this to get paid. It’s all about money.”

    In the same interview, Pimblett also gave his reaction to Conor McGregor downplaying the card for UFC 304, which will see the Octagon return to the North of England.

    The lightweight contender responded and again referenced wanting to compete in a boxing match if he receives an offer after this next contest.

    “That’s a mad one, and I really like Conor – but if anyone ever put his name on a contract and sent it to me, I’d be like, cha-ching! You never know. We’ll see what happens. I’ll be negotiating after this fight. One of these f*****g stupid influencers might get on and want to have me a boxing match for a couple of million. And I’ll be in!”

  • Molly McCann Vows She & Paddy Pimblett Will ‘Steal The Show Again’ At UFC 304

    Molly McCann Vows She & Paddy Pimblett Will ‘Steal The Show Again’ At UFC 304

    UFC strawweight Molly McCann expects to light up Manchester’s Co-op Live alongside friend and teammate Paddy Pimblett next weekend.

    The two Liverpudlian fan favorites will both be in action at the upcoming UFC 304 pay-per-view event, which sees mixed martial arts’ premier promotion cross the pond to stage an event in an English city other than London for the first time post-pandemic.

    In the capital, the pair have had their fair share of success, with both going 2-0 at The O2 with standout UFC Fight Night performances in 2022. Pimblett’s two submissions and McCann’s two knockouts were all rewarded with post-fight bonuses.

    They’ll hope to repeat those feats up north on July 27 when Pimblett shoots for the lightweight rankings against King Green and McCann looks to make it back-to-back wins down at strawweight opposite Bruna Brasil.

    McCann Predicts Repeat Of 2022 Home Fights For Her, Pimblett

    During the latest episode of Paddy Pimblett’s fight camp flog, his fellow Next Generation MMA standout Molly McCann looked ahead to their respective outings at UFC 304 next Saturday night.

    Like they did in both March and July of 2022, “Meatball” promised that both she and “The Baddy” will “steal the show” with explosive finishes in front of their home fans.

    “We’re getting to the point now where the hunger is on us, but we’re getting closer and closer so it’s more exciting,” McCann said. “We’re just gonna f*cking steal the show again. Two big finishes, ride off into the sunset, and f*ck off to Tenerife after.”

    Having come up short in her most recent appearance on home soil in 2023, McCann will be looking to return to the kind of performance that saw her rise in prominence two years ago at the expense of Brasil.

    And should she accomplish that feat on the July 27 prelims, the stage will be set for her teammate, as Pimblett has his first opportunity at securing a lightweight ranking on the UFC 304 main card.

  • UFC Lightweight Gives Paddy Pimblett Props For Contract Situation: ‘If He Wins All His Fights & Leaves, That’s Pretty Amazing’

    UFC Lightweight Gives Paddy Pimblett Props For Contract Situation: ‘If He Wins All His Fights & Leaves, That’s Pretty Amazing’

    Paddy Pimblett recently revealed that his return at UFC 304 will be the last fight on his current UFC contract.

    Though it seems unlikely that “The Baddy”, who has become a huge star in the promotion, will look to leave rather than re-signing, he did speak about the ability to make money in the boxing world.

    Pimblett getting his hand raised on July 27 against King Green (formerly Bobby Green) in Manchester would make him undefeated in six Octagon appearances and will likely see him be ranked in the top 15.

    From a negotiation standpoint, this gives him a lot of bargaining power to increase his purses when renewing his contract.

    A fellow lightweight contender gave Pimblett some props for the way that he has handled business on the global stage.

    Beneil Dariush Praises Paddy Pimblett For Holding Leverage In Future Plans

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Beneil Dariush spoke about Pimblett’s current contractual situation.

    Rather than attacking the Scouse fighter for potentially looking to make the most money possible, Dariush spoke about this wave of fighters who use combat sports as a way to boost their own profiles rather than attempting to be the best in the world.

    He says that whilst he isn’t sure whether “The Baddy” came into the promotion with this plan in mind, Pimblett has made himself a big name which will follow him whether he’s in the UFC or not.

    Dariush gave credit to his fellow lightweight for potentially having the option on the table to go undefeated inside the Octagon, before walking away to explore a different path.

    “There’s like this new idea going on in MMA. Get your name out there, become what I guess you would call an influencer, become an influencer, then you have the ability to make money anywhere, not just the UFC, sometimes you don’t even have to fight. Paddy’s definitely done that well. I don’t know if that was his goal but obviously clearly he’s gotten a lot of attention and he’s got a lot of followers. That being said, that gives him a lot of leverage. A lot of leverage regarding negotiations.

    “If he ends up winning this fight, I’m sure the UFC will work with him and they’re going to match him but if not, he can also go anywhere else. That being said, if he ends up leaving, you gotta give him credit. If he wins all his fights and leaves, that’s pretty amazing.”

    Read also: Fanmio CEO Releases Statement After Being Sued By Nate Diaz, Accuses Ex-UFC Star Of ‘Salacious & Defamatory’ Claims

  • Paddy Pimblett Taking Confidence From Tony Ferguson Win Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘One Of The Best Jiu-Jitsu Practitioners In Any Division…’ 

    Paddy Pimblett Taking Confidence From Tony Ferguson Win Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘One Of The Best Jiu-Jitsu Practitioners In Any Division…’ 

    UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett has even more belief in his grappling game having controlled former interim champion Tony Ferguson on the ground last December.

    A year on from a controversial decision victory over Jared Gordon that appeared to dampen the hype surrounding his rise up the 155-pound ladder, Pimblett got relatively back on track in his return at UFC 296 last December.

    On the pay-per-view main card, “The Baddy” shared the cage with Ferguson and extended the veteran’s losing skid to seven across three largely one-sided rounds.

    Having remained on the sidelines for the birth of his twins, Pimblett will look to pick up where he left off at the expense of Bobby Green on the UFC 304 pay-per-view card in Manchester, England, later this month.

    In the lead-up, the pair have gone back and forth about the possibility of a submission finish. And when it comes to defending against a potential attempt come fight night, Pimblett isn’t short on confidence…

    Pimblett: Green ‘Can’t Dream’ Of Submitting Me When Ferguson Couldn’t Get Close

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Pimblett looked ahead to his first assignment of 2024 and spoke about the added experience he’s carrying with him following his most recent outing.

    Ferguson, a black belt in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu under Eddie Bravo, struggled to mount any offense from his back against “The Baddy.” And having been able to find nothing but success on the ground with him, Pimblett is returning to the cage more confident than ever in that part of his arsenal.

    “As I said after the fight, it was nice to actually get 15 minutes in there and know that even when I’m tired, I can take someone down who’s one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in any division, 10th Planet black belt,” Pimblett said. “And I can just sit on top of them and control them and throw strikes.

    “He didn’t even get close to getting a sub on me at all. So I don’t think Bobby can dream of getting a sub on me if Tony Ferguson can’t,” Pimblett concluded.

    That growing self-belief no doubt explains Pimblett’s grappling challenge to Green, which came after “King” teased the pursuit of a submission against “The Baddy.”

    Interestingly, while the Liverpudlian went the distance with Ferguson last December, Green actually found the submission against him five months prior, leaving “El Cucuy” unconscious in an arm-triangle choke at UFC 291.

  • MMA News Today: UFC 304 Star Paddy Pimblett Becomes Latest To Request Custom Shorts, Two Former UFC Champs Could Box In ONE Championship, & More

    MMA News Today: UFC 304 Star Paddy Pimblett Becomes Latest To Request Custom Shorts, Two Former UFC Champs Could Box In ONE Championship, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 10, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Pimblett has a special request ahead of June 27
    • ‘Rampage’ vs Rashad Evans could potentially box in ONE Championship
    • Ankalaev resumes pursuit of Pereira

    Paddy Pimblett Requests Signature Orange Shorts For His UFC 304 Return

    In recent times, certain high profile UFC fighters have been granted custom shorts from Venum that they helped design.

    The likes of Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, Zhang Weili, Dustin Poirier and Alex Pereira have all stepped inside the Octagon with their own distinct looks.

    Paddy Pimblett is hoping that he will be able to add his name to this list when he returns at UFC 304 later this month.

    “The Baddy” put a post up on Instagram of him reaching out to the UFC’s apparel partner to make a special request before facing King (formerly Bobby) Green in Manchester.

    During his days in Cage Warriors, before he signed to the UFC, Pimblett was known for competing in bright orange shorts – which he wants to bring back in front of the UK fans.

    ‘Rampage’ Jackson Says Boxing Clash With Rashad Evans Is Being Spoken About For Later This Year

    Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has had to wait a long time to make his debut in boxing due to the saga with Shannon Briggs that never led anywhere.

    Now, he has changed his focus and could be set to square off with one of his greatest rivals once again.

    Jackson and Rashad Evans fought back at UFC 114 where Evans won via a unanimous decision following one of the most memorable seasons of The Ultimate Fighter.

    “Rampage” recently stated during an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast that he could be set to box Evans, with ONE Championship potentially hosting the contest at their event (ONE 169) in Atlanta on November 8.

    “He’s still trying, but I lost my faith in Shannon [Briggs],” Jackson said. “I don’t know if he’s going to get it done. He talks a good game. I hope he get it done. If he ever gets it done, I’ll be game to fight him, but right now, I guess my first boxing match is going to be against Rashad. I need to get that win back.”

    Magomed Ankalaev Continues To Call Out Alex Pereira Following UFC 303

    Magomed Ankalaev has been as vocal as ever following the UFC light heavyweight title fight that took place at UFC 303 on June 29.

    After missing out on the title shot with the champion Alex Pereira instead facing Jiří Procházka in a rematch, Ankalaev believes that he is the next in line.

    He believes that “Poatan” does not want to fight him and is therefore continuing to call him out whilst making bold predictions for the fight.

    His latest post spoke about why this fight needs to happen next, reaffirming that he will stop Pereira once they meet inside the Octagon.

    “@AlexPereiraUFC kept away from me for a reason, and I do understand this is business @ufc best fight the best and he is the best for now I will keep my (word),” Ankalaev wrote on X. “I will knock him out. @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite nothing better than you’ve seen an event somebody going to sleep”

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • Leon Edwards Breaks Down & Predicts UFC 304 Fights Featuring Fellow Countrymen Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    Leon Edwards Breaks Down & Predicts UFC 304 Fights Featuring Fellow Countrymen Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    While focused on his own assignment at UFC 304, welterweight champion Leon Edwards recently assessed a few other notable matchups set for July 27.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will head back across the pond toward the end of this month, visiting an English city other than London for the first time since pre-pandemic.

    The newly built Co-op Live in Manchester is set to play host to UFC 304, a pay-per-view event topped by two British champions in Edwards and Tom Aspinall.

    “Rocky” is expecting both him and the interim heavyweight kingpin to emerge with the gold still in their possession. And his support of fellow countrymen goes beyond just his fellow champ…

    Edwards Backs Aspinall, Pimblett, Allen To Join Him As Home Winners In Manchester

    During a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA, Edwards looked ahead to his upcoming Octagon outing, which comes 16 months on from his previous home fight in England’s capital.

    After analyzing his main event showdown with Muhammad for the welterweight gold, “Rocky” had his attention turned to some of the other notable bouts set to play out in Manchester featuring his compatriots.

    That included the other champion with whom he’s sharing the poster, interim heavyweight titleholder Aspinall.

    “I pick Tom for the win,” Edwards said. “Obviously (Curtis) Blaydes is a solid opponent; great wrestling, good boxing as well. But I feel like Tom is just like, for heavyweight, quite fast and moves well on his feet. So yeah, I favor Tom for the win.”

    Edwards’ next pick came with a self-admitted bias, as he backed fellow Team Renegade standout Arnold Allen to bounce back from his widely debated setback against Movsar Evloev this past January in Canada.

    “I’ve got Arnold (against Giga Chikadze). He’s my training partner, you know?” Edwards noted. “I know how hard he works in the gym and just how good he is. He’s looking good now in training camp, so I’ve got Arnold.”

    “Rocky” then went three for three on the home picks, predicting victory for Pimblett in his toughest Octagon assignment to date against #15-rankled lightweight Bobby “King” Green.

    “That’s a good one,” Edwards said, pondering more than his previous predictions. “I’ll go Paddy. I’ll go all-British through here. I’ll go Paddy but I feel like Bobby’s a dangerous fight for him. Probably his toughest test.”

    Come fight night, Edwards will no doubt be more concerned about his prediction for his own fight against Muhammad coming to fruition.

    While his first two defenses against Usman and Covington went to the scorecards, the Jamaican-born Brit is vowing to finish “Remember the Name” before the championship rounds when they run it back later this month.

  • Paddy Pimblett Lays Down A Challenge For Bobby Green At UFC 304: ‘Let’s See If You’ve Got The Balls…’

    Paddy Pimblett Lays Down A Challenge For Bobby Green At UFC 304: ‘Let’s See If You’ve Got The Balls…’

    UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett will welcome Bobby Green to enemy territory later this month, and he’s also hoping to welcome him to the ground come fight night.

    After returning from a lengthy injury layoff last December to add the prominent name of former interim champion Tony Ferguson to his growing résumé, Pimblett is set to be back on home soil for his first assignment of 2024 on July 27.

    Prior to two championship headliners at UFC 304, Pimblett will make the walk inside Manchester’s Co-op Live for his first shot at cracking the rankings at 155 pounds.

    The opportunity comes against “King” Green, a veteran contender who is coming off a hard-fought decision victory over Jim Miller on the milestone UFC 300 card this past April.

    In the lead-up, “The Baddy” has insisted that Green’s chin has “gone,” leaving him open to knockouts. Despite that, though, the Liverpool native has challenged the 37-year-old Californian in a different realm of the game…

    Pimblett Invites Green To Put His Money Where His Mouth Is At UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Pimblett documented the late stages of his UFC 304 fight camp.

    And speaking to the camera while at his gym, Next Generation MMA in Liverpool, “The Baddy” made note of some of Green’s past comments regarding a possible submission and laid down a challenge for “King.”

    “Bobby makes me laugh. … You was talking about me in 2021, 2022,” Pimblett said. “I also seen a story the other week, him saying, ‘Anyone can knock anyone out with a lucky punch. But Paddy, you’re saying you’re gonna submit me. You can’t submit me!’

    “Grapple with me then, lad? Back your word up,” Pimblett continued. “We both know that you can strike, even though you’ve got no power. We both know that I’ll strike with you and that you can get knocked out. Grapple with me! Let’s see if you’ve got the balls to grapple with me after saying I won’t submit you. Come on, let’s see.”

    It remains to be seen if Green will respond to Pimblett’s challenge.

    But whether on the ground or the feet, “The Baddy” will be looking to thrill his home fans once again, having not competed in the UK since a pair of London triumphs in 2022, both of which came via submission.

  • Paddy Pimblett Reacts To Green Changing First Name To ‘King’ Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Can Officially Call Me The Kingslayer’

    Paddy Pimblett Reacts To Green Changing First Name To ‘King’ Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Can Officially Call Me The Kingslayer’

    Paddy Pimblett looks to continue his undefeated streak in the UFC when he returns on July 27 at UFC 304.

    “The Baddy” is sure to get an incredible reaction when he makes the walk in Manchester, despite it being the early hours of the morning.

    His opponent, while known as a fan favorite on the roster, will be welcomed to England as the away fighter, but this won’t phase the #15-ranked lightweight.

    In fact, his next outing is set to be the first of a new chapter in his career after King Green, formerly known as Bobby Green, announced that he had officially changed his name on social media.

    Paddy Pimblett Reacts To UFC 304 Opponent Changing His Name To King Green

    Green had laid out his plans in the past for wanting to change his first name to his longtime fight moniker in order to show just how far he has come in his career and what he has been able to achieve.

    July 27 will be his 50th professional fight, but flying to England to face a star like Pimblett after changing his name to King is sure to be one of the most memorable.

    It didn’t take long for his opponent to catch wind of this news, as “The Baddy” prepares to face the same man under a different name.

    He posted on social media to give his thoughts on this change for Green and, suffice to say, he won’t be following suit anytime soon…

    “This mushroom has actually changed his name to King so yous can officially call me the Kingslayer on July 28th”

    UFC 304 will be headlined by two title fights, with welterweight champion Leon Edwards’ rematch against Belal Muhammad and interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall’s second dance opposite Curtis Blaydes following Green vs. Pimblett.

  • What’s Next After UFC 303? Full Confirmed UFC 304 Main Card For Manchester On July 27

    What’s Next After UFC 303? Full Confirmed UFC 304 Main Card For Manchester On July 27

    UFC 303 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering.

    The promotion was in Las Vegas, Nevada, last week, where the T-Mobile Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for International Fight Week. Of note were victories for UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, fast-rising featherweight fan favorite Diego Lopes, and undefeated welterweight Ian Garry.

    While the aftermath of the June 29 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the light heavyweight title picture to the 170-pound championship conversation.

    At UFC 304, set for the newly built Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on July 27, reigning welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards will make the walk for the first time this year, making his third defense of the gold in a rematch against Belal Muhammad.

    There will also be title stakes between familiar opponents in the co-headliner, as interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall runs it back with Curtis Blaydes two years on from his devastating knee injury opposite “Razor” just 15 seconds into their UFC Fight Night main event in London.

    Pimblett, Mokaev, Allen Set The Stage For Title Headliners At UFC 304

    Before Edwards and Aspinall defend their championships on home soil in the main and co-main events, respectively, a number of other high-profile Brits will take to the Octagon looking to make the post of their position on the major card.

    That includes up-and-coming lightweight Paddy Pimblett, who gets his toughest test to date in the form of the #15-ranked Bobby Green. After extending his unbeaten UFC record to 5-0 by getting the better of Tony Ferguson, the Liverpool native has the chance to break through into the top 15 against “King,” who most recently outpointed Jim Miller on the milestone UFC 300 card this past April.

    Prior to that, Dagestan-born Brit Muhammad Mokaev will look to stake his claim for a first shot at the flyweight gold when he meets former Rizin champion Manel Kape. “The Young Punisher” most recently edged past ex-title challenger Alex Perez at the Apex in March. “Starboy,” meanwhile, hasn’t competed since a victory at UFC 293 in Sydney last September, with a weight miss and injury subsequently scrapping his two scheduled rematches with Matheus Nicolau this year.

    Another local favorite will open the main card, with Ipswich native Arnold Allen looking to get back on track. Following a valiant effort in defeat against Max Holloway in Kansas City last April, “Almighty” fell on the wrong side of a tight and debated decision opposite Movsar Evloev at UFC 297 in Toronto, Canada, this past January. To bounce back, Allen must halt the resurgence of striking specialist Giga Chikadze, who most recently returned to winning ways at the expense of Alex Caceres in Singapore last August.

    See below for the full UFC 304 card, as it stands.

    Main Card:

    • Leon Edwards (C) vs. Belal Muhammad (welterweight championship main event)
    • Tom Aspinall (C) vs. Curtis Blaydes  (interim heavyweight championship co-main event)
    • Bobby Green vs. Paddy Pimblett (lightweight)
    • Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape (flyweight)
    • Arnold Allen vs. Giga Chikadze (featherweight)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Nathaniel Wood vs. Daniel Pineda (featherweight)
    • Molly McCann vs. Bruna Brasil (women’s strawweight)
    • Caolán Loughran vs. Ramon Tavares (bantamweight)
    • Mick Parkin vs. Łukasz Brzeski (heavyweight)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Oban Elliott vs. Preston Parsons (welterweight)
    • Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues (middleweight)
    • Sam Patterson vs. Kiefer Crosbie (welterweight)
    • Shauna Bannon vs. Ravena Oliveira (women’s strawweight)
    • Modestas Bukauskas vs. Marcin Prachnio (light heavyweight) 
    Image: Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports

  • Dana White: Paddy Pimblett Could Headline A Fight Night

    Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett could be on to bigger and better fight opportunities ahead.

    UFC London was full of star power and great finishes. Many hometown fighters saw big wins, including Paddy Pimblett.

    Dana White believes Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett is the real deal following his UFC London win | MMA News | Sky Sports
    A victorious Paddy Pimblett

    Pimblett was coming into UFC London with high expectations. He is a rising star and has gained a huge number of fans since joining the UFC. With all eyes on him, he was able to get the impressive win and could have just sealed a bright future ahead of him in the UFC.

    Along with all the fans who were impressed, the performance also left a lasting impression of Dana White. White can see Pimblett’s star power and can also see him headlining a card in the future when asked at the UFC London post-fight press conference about this.

    “That was quick. I don’t know. I mean, his numbers say yes. His numbers say yes. He could headline a Fight Night,” White said.

    Pimblett made his second walk to the Octagon at UFC London. His first-round submission win over Kazula Vargas was his second win in the UFC and although he is still a newcomer people are calling his name.

    Pimblett was in the Cage Warriors organization before coming to the UFC. He did have the opportunity to headline two events when he was a champion in Cage Warriors, one at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, proving he can rise to the occasion.

    There is no doubt many fans in attendance were there to see Pimblett. The noise was booming when he was walking to the cage and when he won. Pimblett has shown he can handle the spotlight and the pressure of headlining an event, so perhaps the next time the UFC is in the UK, it could be Paddy “The Baddy” at the top of the card.

    Do you think Paddy Pimblett is ready to headline an event?

  • Paddy Pimblett Responds To Ilia Topuria Saying He’s Afraid To Fight

    Paddy Pimblett has responded to Ilia Topuria already accusing him of ducking him.

    Before UFC London was even a thought, Pimblett and Topuria went back-and-forth on social media. Pimblett said some controversial things on social media about Georgia, where Topuria is from. It caused a major backlash and with them being on the same card at UFC London, they had a run-in at the hotel.

    Topuria and his team saw Pimblett in a room and approached him. After some words were exchanged, Pimblett threw a hand sanitizer bottle at his head. To no surprise, after Topuria picked up a KO win over Jai Herbert, he called out Pimblett but ‘The Baddy’ doesn’t seem too interested in it.

    “As I said, he’s just ‘hand sanitizer boy to me.’ A lion doesn’t concern himself with the opinion of sheep,” Pimblett said after the fight.

    Although Pimblett didn’t seem too interested in facing Toupira, the Georgian said it is because he doesn’t have the “balls” to fight him. However, for the Brit, he says that is not the case as for him, he says everyone wants to fight him and he’s the star so he will decide who he gets next.

    “Everyone wants to fight me. Everyone wants to hang on my coattails. No one knew who ‘hand sanitizer boy’ was until he decided to start an altercation with me. No one knew who he was. I’m the (star). Everyone wants to fight me.”

    Paddy Pimblett did score a first-round submission over Kazula Vargas at UFC London. It improved him to 2-0 in the UFC and he is now an even bigger star as fans got to see how well-received he is in England. Ilia Topuria, meanwhile, scored a vicious KO win over Jai Herbert, but it seems likely he will drop down to featherweight.

    Do you think we will see Paddy Pimblett fight Ilia Topuria?

  • Ilia Topuria: The UFC Would Have To Force Paddy Pimblett To Fight Me

    Ilia Topuria wants a fight with Paddy Pimblett next, but he isn’t confident that the matchup will take place.

    Topuria took care of business at UFC London with an impressive come-from-behind win over Jai Herbert. After getting rocked with a big head kick in the opening round, Topuria bounced back in a big way with a big right hook that slept Herbert in Round 2.

    Topuria was making his lightweight debut after competing at featherweight for the majority of his career. The fight was taken on short notice after Herbert’s original opponent, Mike Davis, withdrew with an injury.

    Topuria and Pimblett engaged in a heated altercation during fight week at their hotel, with the two fighters nearly getting into an all-out brawl. Topuria’s animosity towards Pimblett stems from Pimblett’s previous comments mocking Georgia, his home country.

    Topuria used his post-fight Octagon interview to call for a fight with Pimblett before Pimblett earned a first-round finish over Kazula Vargas.

    During his UFC London post-fight press conference, Topuria gave his thoughts on the chances of Pimblett agreeing to a fight with him.

    “Paddy? Never, never ever,” Topuria said. “I don’t think so, maybe if Dana stay with him with a gun, maybe yes. If they force him to go inside the cage with me, maybe. Otherwise, I don’t think so. I don’t think he has the balls to fight me.”

    Tensions between Topuria and Pimblett have escalated following their altercation. Topuria has recently claimed that if he and Pimblett were alone in a room, he would kill Pimblett.

    Topuria is now 12-0 in his professional MMA career with four straight wins in the UFC. Before his win over Herbert, he earned finishes over Ryan Hall and Damon Jackson at featherweight.

    Pimblett’s win over Vargas puts him at 2-0 since signing with the UFC last year. He won his debut last September in a first-round TKO of Luigi Vendramini.

    Pimblett appeared to downplay Topuria’s callout during his post-fight Octagon interview, referring to Topuria as a “sheep”. While it’s unclear if Topuria will fight at lightweight going forward, a fight between these two adversaries seems like a no-brainer.

    Do you think we’ll ever see Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett?

  • Paddy Pimblett Preemptively Responds To Critics After UFC London

    Paddy Pimblett can already hear his critics after his latest victory at UFC London; thus, “The Baddy” has preemptively issued a response.

    At UFC London, Paddy Pimblett continued to add steam to his hype train with a submission victory over Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas. Not unlike his UFC debut, Pimblett experienced some early turbulence, but he and his star power rode out the wave until his heralded words rang true with “The Baddy” having his hand raised after another first-round finish.

    However, given the fact that some believe Pimblett was thrown a gimme fight in Vargas, who entered the bout with a 1-2 UFC record, the struggles endured in the opening moments of the fight may be glaring to some of his critics.

    Pimblett, well aware of this sect even before they’ve had a chance to congregate, addressed and mocked the argument he anticipates from them during the UFC London post-fight press conference.

    “The funny thing is, lad, the haters are gonna hate still, lad,” Pimblett said when asked about silencing his critics. “(MOCKING CRITICS) ‘Oh, you couldn’t even take him down? You got hit with a big punch. [DROOLING NOISE] Your defense is shit.’

    “Who won? You know what I mean? Who won, lad? It was me in the first round.”

    Indeed it was Pimblett, not Vargas, who had his hand raised yesterday. Pimblett now moves to 2-0 in the UFC and the 27-year-old “Baddy” will be continuing his races onto the next challenge. Who and when that will be? Only time will tell.

    But if you ask Paddy while hushing the noise of his critics, there is one sure-fire answer that will ring loud and clear: Pimblett will blast deafeningly loud as the A-side regardless.

    What did you think of Paddy Pimblett’s UFC London performance?

  • Archives: Paddy Pimblett Returns In Style At Cage Warriors 113 (2020)

    Last night at UFC London, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett earned the submission finish over Kazula Vargas in front of the raucous crowd filling the O2 arena. Coincidentally, on this day two years ago, “The Baddy” made his triumphant return to competition after a two-year layoff following his loss to Soren Bak in 2018. Below, you can find our coverage of the significant occasion immediately after it happened.

    The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 20, 2020 5:34 PM]

    Author: Fernando Quiles Jr.

    Paddy Pimblett finally returned to the cage today (March 20) and he made the most of it.

    Opening the main card of Cage Warriors 113 was a lightweight clash between Pimblett and Decky Dalton. After Donovan Desmae and Davide Martinez were pulled from the card, Dalton stepped up as a late replacement opponent. Dalton ended up being no match for Pimblett.

    Early in the fight, Dalton slipped off a high kick attempt and Pimblett took full advantage. Pimblett’s top control was too much for Dalton and he rained down punches for the quick ground-and-pound finish.

    The official Twitter account of Cage Warriors posted the finish, which you can see below.

    MMA News has you covered with live results for Cage Warriors 113. You can catch the results here.

  • Fighters React To Pimblett’s Submission Of Vargas At UFC London

    Lightweight Paddy Pimblett more than delivered on home-crowd expectations after earning a first-round submission victory over Kazula Vargas at UFC London tonight.

    It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Pimblett, however, who was caught early and taken down. But the Liverpudlian rebounded to take the back of Vargas, sink in a rear-naked choke, and get his second UFC win before a delirious O2 Arena crowd.

    Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, is now 18-3 as a professional mixed martial artist, and after two first-round finishes in as many UFC bouts, the 27-year-old is on the cusp of becoming one of the promotion’s biggest stars.

    You can catch all the highlights of “The Baddy’s” win below.

    This was Pimblett’s second win in as many UFC fights

    Now, let’s see how fighters reacted to Pimblett’s win at UFC London.

    UFC London: Volkov vs. Aspinall Results & Highlights

    MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC London. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.

  • Pimblett Explains Why UFC London Fight Is A “Lose-Lose” For Him

    Rising UFC lightweight star Paddy Pimblett has described his upcoming fight at UFC London this weekend as a “lose-lose” situation.

    In 2021, Pimblett burst onto the scene in MMA’s leading promotion with a memorable debut. After much anticipation for his first walk following a March signing, Pimblett was matched up with Luigi Vendramini on the main card of UFC Vegas 36 last September.

    Despite appearing to be hurt early on, “The Baddy” found his rhythm as the first round developed, eventually making good on his pre-fight prediction by knocking the Brazilian out before the end of the opening frame.

    Now, with his stock risen and his name firmly established as a hot prospect, Pimblett will take to the Octagon for the second time today at UFC London. With a home crowd behind him, the Liverpudlian is certain he’ll draw the loudest cheers of the night when he shares the cage with Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas inside the O2 Arena.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbK4f1Ss6Tq/

    But despite looking forward to his first outing of 2022, Pimblett also sees his sophomore clash on the sport’s biggest stage as a lose-lose scenario.

    During an interview with BT Sport’s Nick Peet, Pimblett suggested that because most fans expect him to dispatch Vargas with ease, there’s little upside to a comfortable victory. On the flip side, a defeat would be extremely damaging.

    “I’ve said this, this fight’s a lose-lose for me,” claimed Pimblett. “Everyone’s like, ‘Ah, he should be winning anyway.’ But if I lost the fight, they’d be like, ‘Ah, he’s a hype train.’ If I win the fight, ‘Ah, he should’ve won anyway.’ For him (Vargas) lad, it’s a win-win. He comes over and beats me, ‘Ah, [MUTED].’ He gets beat, ‘Ah, he was meant to lose anyway.’ Know what I mean?”

    Pimblett: All I Know Is I’m Beating This Mexican Up

    Nevertheless, Pimblett isn’t focusing too much on people’s opinions. That’s true now and whatever the result of the main card today will be. All the Liverpudlian is thinking about is getting his hand raised after a second consecutive first-round triumph.

    “Opinions mean nothing lad. As Paul (Reed) says, opinions mean nothing. Actions mean something,” asserted Pimblett. “So people’s opinions, they can stick them up their arse lad. I don’t care. All I know is I’m getting in this cage and I’m beating this Mexican up for half-a-round before the referee stops it or he goes to sleep.”

    With aspirations of grandeur for 2022 and beyond, it’s certainly important for Pimblett to establish his dominance over lower-level lightweight names like Vargas.

    Do you think Paddy Pimblett will record his second UFC victory when he shares the Octagon with Kazula Vargas today?

  • Pimblett Names Jon Jones As The MMA GOAT

    Paddy Pimblett considers Jon “Bones” Jones to be the GOAT of mixed martial arts.

    Pimblett has made incredible strides in his MMA career. His outstanding UFC debut took place last September, and his abundance of followers get to see him in action again today at UFC London.

    Paddy Pimblett and Luigi Vendramini
    Paddy Pimblett and Luigi Vendramini, Photo Credit: Getty Images

    Having experience as a featherweight champion in Cage Warriors, Pimblett enters the UFC with the potential to become one of the greats in the lightweight division. He might eventually compare himself to his most revered fighter, Jon Jones.

    The English fighter considers Jones one of the greatest of all time and recently had nothing but good things to say about the former champion when asked who he considers to be the MMA GOAT.

    “Jon Jones. Just look at his record, his résumé, look at the people he’s beat,” Pimblett assessed. “He’s beat like three different generations of UFC light heavyweights. I think if he comes back and wins that heavyweight title, he’s cemented his place as [the greatest of all time] with ease.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    Agreeably, Jon Jones is one of the best to ever do it. Glover Teixeira, Daniel Cormier, and Thiago Santos are among the list of established fighters who felt the sting of Jones’s greatness.

    Jones is a longtime UFC veteran who suffered only one loss (via disqualification) in his career. Since then, he gained the light heavyweight belt three times on his dominant path of victories.

    Jon Jones
    Jon Jones holding the Light Heavyweight Championship belt

    Jones recorded some of the best highlights in the UFC, with guillotine chokes, keylock submissions, and a slew of TKOs.

    Currently, “Bones” is on a 17-fight win streak. He won his last match in 2020 when he defended the light heavyweight belt against Dominick Reyes.

    There are a few names such as Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou, but recent controversy circling Jones puts a shadow of uncertainty over his next appearance in the Octagon.

    In contrast, Paddy “The Baddy” faces “Kazula” Vargas today at UFC London. It is his second bout in the UFC and he enters as the fan-favorite at -490.

    What are your thoughts on Paddy Pimblett considering Jon Jones to be the MMA GOAT?

  • Darren Till Names UK Fighter Most Likely To Be Next UFC Champion

    UFC middleweight contender Darren Till has named who he believes the next UK fighter to claim UFC gold will be.

    Till is planning a UFC return for later this year after losing back-to-back fights at middleweight. He’s been seen training with rising star Khamzat Chimaev as he plans a potential rise back into the middleweight title picture.

    Till is in London ahead of the UFC’s Fight Night event this weekend, headlined by a heavyweight matchup between Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov. During a recent Fan Q+A session, he pointed to the next likely welterweight title challenger to Kamaru Usman as the next British UFC champion.

    “Probably Leon, probably Leon right now,” Till said.

    Edwards has won nine straight fights, including most recently against Nate Diaz at UFC 263. He was supposed to face Jorge Masvidal at UFC 269 before Masvidal pulled out with an injury.

    Till was the headliner of the last UFC London card in early 2019 but went on to lose to Masvidal in a vicious knockout. He and Edwards shared some trash talk ahead of the event before Edwards earned a unanimous decision win over Gunnar Nelson.

    But now, Till and Edwards seem to be cordial with one another and Till has long advocated for a title shot for Edwards. UFC President Dana White recently confirmed that Edwards will fight for the belt later this year.

    Till Names Another Future UFC Champion From The UK

    Paddy Pimblett
    Paddy Pimblett

    Till was also asked about his fellow countryman, Paddy Pimblett, ahead of his lightweight return against Kazula Vargas at UFC London. Till gave his thoughts on when he thinks Pimblett could earn a lightweight title shot.

    “Two years, give or take,” Till answered. “He’s rising fast, he’s only had two fights. He’s killing it!”

    Pimblett passed his first UFC test with flying colors, earning a first-round knockout of Luigi Vendramini in his debut last September. He was one of the biggest additions to the UFC roster in 2021 following a decorated tenure in Cage Warriors.

    While Till isn’t afraid to give credit to his fellow UK fighters, he’s looking to get back on track with his next UFC outing. He’s been a targeted matchup for middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and is looking to get on another streak to earn another title opportunity.

    Do you agree with Darren Till’s predictions?

  • Pimblett Details Mental Health Struggles Following CW Title Loss

    Ahead of UFC London, Paddy Pimblett recalls his title-fight loss in Cage Warriors and what he learned from it.

    A loss can be devastating, especially to the most prominent fighters in the game. A slew of athletes have risen to the top and then came toppling down once they meet their first challenge.

    And as it seems, Pimblett is no different. Before his loss to Soren Bak at the Cage Warriors 96 main event for the vacant lightweight title, Pimblett was back in the winner’s circle.

    Pimblett defeated Alex Savvdis with an impressive flying triangle choke in the second round at CW90. Having won the featherweight title before, his towering confidence then skyrocketed, assuring himself he’d win his next match.

    Paddy Pimblett
    Paddy Pimblett with Cage Warriors featherweight belt, Photo Credit: Getty Images

    The fight against Bak took place that same year in 2018. The unanimous decision was given to Pimblett’s opponent, and that loss had an awakening effect on him.

    Here’s what he said in an interview with BT Sport:

    “Back then, I used to just take everything for granted. As you do when you’re a kid. Take everything for granted and don’t think about your future. After I lost the lightweight title fight in Cage Warriors, I hit a deep depression and realized what I needed to do with myself. I had crazy thoughts going through my head. I had bad mental health issues for a good couple of months. It took realizing who my real mates were, getting close friends back close, keeping the Mrs. close, obviously, everyone in the family.”

    Typically, when a fighter carries immense hype surrounding their name, losing comes with substantial consequences. Friends and family may feel differently and be prepared for the trolls of social media to have a field day.

    The knockout king Derrick Lewis knows the experience firsthand since losing twice in his hometown, as can Ronda Rousey, who admitted to being suicidal after her first MMA loss.

    Ronda Rousey
    Credit: Getty Images

    Indeed, it can all come crashing down. But sometimes that is what someone needs to dig themselves out of toxic habits or to realize their true gifts in life.

    “(I had to) realize what I’ve go,” Pimblett continued. “I was thinking to myself, ‘My mates are working on a roof, or doing joinery or bricklaying, and I’ve got this opportunity in front of me, and I’ve thrown it away by going out partying all the time, and not listening to my coaches.’ I had a mad realization. I just switched on. Ever since, Paul (Reed) and everyone here will tell you, I’m a much easier person to work with and I’m a much nicer character.”

    Pimblett has certainly come back better since the loss. In 2020 he returned to the cage and decimated his next three opponents inside the first round.

    This Saturday, he faces Kazula Vargas at UFC Fight Night 204 in London to try to increase his three-fight win streak.

    What are your thoughts on Paddy Pimblett’s reflection on his Cage Warriors title loss?

  • Dana White Sends Paddy Pimblett A Reminder Ahead Of UFC London

    UFC President Dana White knows lightweight Paddy Pimblett has a large following, but it may not matter without wins inside the Octagon.

    Pimblett will make his return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC London against Kazula Vargas. The former Cage Warriors featherweight champion earned a first-round knockout over Luigi Vendramini in his UFC debut last September.

    Pimblett has been known to up the ante when it comes to his trash talk and mental warfare. He’s also managed to get under the skin of fighters that aren’t his opponents, including most recently with Ilia Topuria.

    During an appearance on the BT Sport Live Preview Show for UFC London, White gave his thoughts on Pimblett and his potential but also hinted that the prospect should worry about his in-flight performances.

    “Yeah, he’s fun. He’s a fun guy. Smack talk’s fun, but you’ve gotta win,” White said of Pimblett. “So, you know, everybody keeps talking about the excitement of the walkout and all this stuff, you gotta win fights. Believe me, he comes in, has an incredible walkout and the crowd goes crazy, and he wins? Awesome… He’s one of those guys that has that thing and he has the potential to be a star. But, here, you gotta win fights. It’s not just about being popular (and) how many people like you. You’ve gotta get in there and win.”

    Paddy Pimblett
    Paddy Pimblett

    Pimblett was one of the biggest signings by the UFC in 2021 following back-to-back wins in Cage Warriors over Davide Martinez and Decky Dalton. He’s been tabbed by some as the ‘people’s main event’ against Vargas at UFC London.

    Pimblett has been tabbed by some as a potential future UFC box office star at the levels of Conor McGregor, Jorge Masvidal, and others. McGregor has recently called Pimblett a “great representation for the UK”.

    Pimblett has never been short of confidence, as evident by his recent claim that he’ll never get knocked out in the UFC. However, a loss to Vargas could erase the momentum and star power that he has already accumulated.

    Do you think Paddy Pimblett has what it takes to be a UFC champion?

  • Pimblett Expects To Fight “Another 3 Or 4” Unranked Opponents

    Rising UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett says he’s being realistic about the speed with which he can rise up the ladder of a stacked 155-pound division.

    Of the debutants who arrived on MMA’s biggest stage in 2021, not many made a splash as big Pimblett did. After a much-discussed signing with the UFC, which came after he’d experienced championship success in the renowned Cage Warriors organization, “The Baddy” entered the Octagon for the first time last September.

    On the UFC Vegas 36 main card, Pimblett got off to a winning start by extending his overall MMA record to 17-3. He did so with a first-round knockout of Brazil’s Luigi Vendramini inside the UFC Apex.

    Now set for his sophomore outing, Pimblett will be hoping to lift the roof off London’s O2 Arena when he clashes with Kazula Vargas in front of a home crowd at this weekend’s UFC London event.

    But while his prominence and name value in the sport continue to increase way above the levels most achieve after one UFC appearance, Pimblett is under no illusions about the steady rise up the lightweight ranks he’s facing.

    Pimblett Claims To Be A “Realist” About UFC Climb

    During an interview with BT Sport’s Nick Peet, Pimblett was asked to provide a predicted timeline for his development from prospect to contender.

    While the Liverpool native believes he’s ultimately destined for greatness and stardom, for now, “The Baddy” understands it’ll take time to ascend the lightweight mountain.

    “I’m a realist lad. I’m not getting ahead of myself and thinking, ‘Ah, after this fight I’ll fight someone in the top 15,’ cause I won’t,” said Pimblett. “Lightweight is the most stacked division in the sport and the UFC. I know I’m gonna end up fighting another three or four non-ranked fighters, and I’m gonna have to get past them first. I’m taking everything one step at a time. But I’ll be back at least twice this year. I’m not doing two fights this year.”

    His quest for contention will next need to go through Vargas. The pair will collide in the fight prior to a co-main event clash between Dan Hooker and Arnold Allen this Saturday.

    If Pimblett’s potential and popularity weren’t already clear, his high placement on a stacked London-held card perhaps does it some justice.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbLE7CHsydU/

    Do you think Paddy Pimblett has what it takes to reach the top in the UFC?

  • Pimblett Claims He’ll Never Be Knocked Out Despite Stand-Up Criticisms

    UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett thinks if history has taught him anything, it’s that he’ll never get knocked out in the UFC Octagon.

    Pimblett is coming off of a successful UFC debut against Luigi Vendramini last September and will face Kazula Vargas at UFC London this weekend. It’ll be his first fight in the UK since he left Cage Warriors to pursue stardom in the UFC.

    Pimblett has never been one to lack confidence and he was among the biggest signings by the UFC in 2021. However, he may be the most confident he’s ever been ahead of his Octagon return.

    During a recent interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Pimblett denied that any opponent will be able to knock him out in the UFC and addressed critics who say he leaves his chin exposed in his fights.

    “Everyone said that about me,” Pimblett said. “I’ve had nine amateur fights and 20 pro fights. For years, everyone’s been ‘He’s got his chin up, he’s got his chin up’, but I’ve never been knocked out and I never will be. I’ve never been knocked when doing 19-pound fight cuts overnight and 17-pound weight cuts overnight. You think any shot now is going to phase me at all when I have 10 pounds to lose now? The ‘Scousers don’t get knocked out’ thing could get me turned into a proper meme over the years if I do get knocked out. But that’s the risk we’ve taken.”

    Not everyone has been a fan of Pimblett’s antics, though. During UFC London fight week, he was involved in a near-brawl with Ilia Topuria at the fighter hotel.

    Before signing with the UFC, he earned the Cage Warriors featherweight title over Julian Erosa and enjoyed moderate success at lightweight with the promotion. He has been compared to UFC star Conor McGregor with his brash personality and ability to promote a fight.

    Pimblett will no doubt have the crowd on his side against Vargas this weekend, and he’ll look to take the next step in his development into potentially one of the UFC’s biggest stars.

    What are your predictions for Paddy Pimblett’s UFC career?

  • Adesanya Compares His ‘Hype Train’ Competition To Pimblett’s: ‘There’s Levels’

    Israel Adesanya is a fan of Paddy Pimblett but wants to see him face harder competition.

    UFC London is coming up this weekend and many UK UFC stars will be on display. Paddy Pimblett is not headlining this event, but he is definitely one of the biggest draws on the card.

    Pimblett will be making his second appearance in the UFC Octagon, and the Liverpool native will be doing it in front of a near hometown crowd. The media and many fans have embraced Pimblett and have made him a quickly rising star. Even middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is a fan.

    Adesanya spoke a bit about Pimblett on his YouTube channel and how he feels he should be approaching his UFC career. First, he brought up the fact that Pimblett is not a fan of extravagant walkouts but then hit a little closer to home.

    “He should do that. I dare him to do a f–king whole entrance on the biggest fight of his life,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel (via MMA Fighting). “I’m not talking this fight — this ain’t the biggest fight of his life. He’s fighting a motherf–ker that’s 1-2 [in the UFC]. He’s getting fed a bum. I dare him to try something like that, and then fight, and do what I did.”

    Adesanya Compares His Rise To Pimblett’s

    UFC on FOX 29 results: Israel Adesanya survives late Vettori charge
    Israel Adesanya Faces Marvin Vettori In Second UFC Fight

    Adesanya is referring to Pimblett’s opponent for his homecoming bout at UFC London, Kazula Vargas. Vargas is not a newcomer to MMA. He has been fighting professionally since 2011. However, he has had a tough go of it in the UFC so far in going 1-2 but is coming off a win his last time out. This, Adesanya says, pales in comparison to the competition he faced during his own rise up the UFC ranks.

    “I like what he’s doing. I like the haircut, and I like how he’s owning everything and just telling it like it is. He’s speaking his truth,” Adesanya said of Pimblett. “They’re building him up. This is the thing: when I got to the UFC when I jumped in, I was ready to fight the [most] dangerous people of the division, and they threw me right in there against a grappler who was going to grapple me — at least, that’s what he tried to do. Second fight, I’m fighting blockhead [Marvin Vettori], third fight, I fight a top-ranked guy, top-10, f–k, third fight. Look, you can be a hype train but there’s levels.”

    Adesanya did indeed jump right into the deep section of the UFC middleweight division when he joined the organization. He makes a good case for hurrying up the ladder, but the UFC has a tendency of slowly bringing new fighters into fighting ranked opponents, especially ones who could become stars such as Pimblett.

    Adesanya fought Anderson Silva in his fifth UFC fight and fought for a title in his sixth. That may not be the right path for Pimblett, especially in such a stacked division at lightweight.

    Do you agree with Israel Adesanya about Paddy Pimblett?