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Tag: Paddy Pimblett

  • Ilia Topuria: I’d Kill Paddy Pimblett If We Were Alone In A Room

    Ilia Topuria doesn’t expect tensions to have eased if he collides with lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett again in London this week.

    While they both have opponents of their own to focus on for this weekend, Kazula Vargas for the Englishman and Jai Herbert for the Georgian, Pimblett and Topuria have formed a more intense feud between themselves.

    They’d previously clashed online following distasteful tweets “The Baddy” posted about the Russo-Georgian War. But the animosity between the pair reached a boiling point at the fighter hotel on Tuesday.

    After Topuria approached Pimbett, objects and insults were exchanged, with the ranked UFC featherweight seemingly landing a punch to the Liverpudlian’s arm.

    At media day, Pimblett gave his side of the story, accusing “El Matador,” who he branded “hand sanitizer boy,” of trying to “act hard” and doing “nothing” despite a clear number advantage.

    During an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Topuria responded. He claimed Pimblett initially tried to act friendly. According to the Georgian, while he tries to be a “gangster” online, the Englishman was “quiet like a bitch” in person.

    “He saw me and he was like, smiling at me, and he wanted me to shake his hand. I don’t know what he wanted for my part,” recalled Topuria. “And (when) I saw him, I threw a bottle to his face and then everything started. But he was quiet like a bitch. He didn’t say anything. Fuck him. He’s just a man on Twitter. This is not Twitter. This is real life. If you wanna play a gangster, be a gangster by the end. If not, just stay quiet, kid.”

    When asked what would happen if he comes across Pimblett again prior to Saturday’s fight night, Topuria revealed he’s expecting a similar situation. However, if he were to find himself alone with “The Baddy,” he expects things to end very differently for the Brit.

    “The same thing you saw in the video (will happen if I see him again). If I have the chance, I don’t know, if they give me the chance to be with him alone in a room, I’m gonna kill this motherfucker,” asserted Topuria.

    Topuria: Pimblett Should Be Thankful After Hotel Clash

    Ultimately, while footage of the incident has gone viral, the pair avoided a full-blown brawl, with members of Topuria’s entourage quickly separating their man from his fellow main-card competitor.

    When recalling the incident, Pimblett suggested he escaped a six-on-one clash unscathed. But further into his conversation with Helwani, Topuria noted that the members of his team mostly played peacekeeping roles.

    He believes Pimblett should be thankful for that, because if they didn’t, he would’ve ended up in hospital.

    “He saw me and he shit on his pants… I was trying to take his head off. He (posted) something like, ‘It was six versus me.’ You can see in the video, my coach was on his back making a coffee,” said Topuria. “(He was) calm. He didn’t even move.

    “No one touched him. My brother was separating me. Can you imagine if everyone go against him? He was alone. We will kill him,” added Topuria. “He should be thankful (to) all my teammates because they separated me. If not, he will be, I don’t know, in the hospital right now.”

    What did you make of Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett’s hotel altercation?

  • Paddy Pimblett Blasts Cormier, Bisping For Commentary Of Debut

    UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett heard some criticisms of his performance early on in his UFC debut, and he used it to eventually earn a finish.

    Pimblett made his long-awaited UFC debut against Luigi Vendramini last September. After suffering some heavy blows early on in the fight, he would go on to blitz Vendramini and earn a first-round knockout.

    Pimblett was arguably the biggest signing by the UFC last year after a successful run in Cage Warriors, which included a featherweight title win over Julian Erosa. Some questioned if Pimblett was ready for the big stage in the UFC despite his recent successes.

    During a recent interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Pimblett explained how he used Cormier and Bisping’s commentary during his debut to his advantage.

    “Yeah, they were just going against me to be honest,” Pimblett opined. “That’s why at one point I heard DC go like, ‘He’s losing this round’, and then I was like, ‘Am I yeah? I’m losing this round?’ and that’s when I bit down on me gummy and started going on him. I think it’s hard to take him down and then when we got straight back up, I went at him and started throwing punches. I knew I broke him, he hit me with his biggest shot and I stood there. And then I heard DC and Bisping and went forward and put it on him.”

    UFC fans excited by 'next big thing' Paddy Pimblett | The Independent

    Pimblett isn’t the only one to criticize Cormier for his commentary. Rising UFC bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley blasted Cormier for perceived biased commentary during his UFC 264 victory over Kris Moutinho.

    The only time Pimblett has been finished in MMA came against Cameron Else via anaconda choke submission at Cage Warriors 60. After that, he would go on to win nine in a row including the featherweight title.

    Pimblett will face a tough task in the form of Kazula Vargas at UFC London this weekend. While Vargas has had his fair share of ups and downs in the UFC, he’s an experienced fighter who could test Pimblett in a plethora of ways.

    Pimblett is expected to receive quite the reception when he makes his walk to the Octagon on Saturday night. He’ll look to continue to silence his critics and continue his climb in the UFC.

    What is your prediction for Paddy Pimblett’s UFC return?

  • Is Paddy Pimblett The UFC’s Next Cash Cow?

    Paddy Pimblett is set to grace the famous Octagon at UFC London with an intention to ramp up his value with another win.

    Ever since his victory at UFC Vegas 36, interest in ‘The Baddy’ has skyrocketed. Not only has his fighting ability caught the attention of fans worldwide, but also his unique personality.

    His post-fight interview that night caused waves across social media with audiences who are not even remotely interested in the sport finding appreciation for Pimblett’s extraordinary personality.

    Meanwhile, his own personal social media platforms’ followings went through the roof with fans purchasing a one-way ticket on the hype train. Pimblett’s Instagram rose from 28,000 followers to 700,000 on fight week alone.

    He blitzed his way through Luigi Vendramini that night, in the 1st round, just how he predicted it. The Scouser even declared “I’m the new cash cow” in his post-fight UFC octagon interview.

    All was not perfect in Vegas, however, as Pimblett had to deal with his fair share of adversity in the fight as Vendramini tested the chin of the former Cage Warriors champion early on. However, Pimblett did survive to score a memorable knockout victory in his UFC debut.

    One loss early on in his UFC career could damage all momentum and see UFC fans question whether he has what it takes to go far in the organization. At the age of 27, Pimblett is still young in comparison to the age of his peers.

    That said, ‘The Baddy’ has already had the experience of going through setbacks having lost three times in his career. Those could well be seen as learning curves for Pimblett to sharpen his tools, making him a more dangerous well-rounded prospect in the UFC.

    The UFC lightweight tends to also have the knack of getting himself into heat on social media however which may well damage his reputation. While Pimblett may well see any PR as good PR, he will need to be vigilant that he keeps the fans on his side if he is to build a fanbase that will profit him into the UFC’s next cash cow.

    Paddy Pimblett
    Paddy Pimblett

    The 27-year-old has already seen accounts of his banned on both Instagram and Twitter resulting in enormous amounts of followers lost in the process. Pimblett has since created new accounts, yet has struggled to gain the remarkable figures that were previously rolled in.

    Pimblett is expecting an iconic UFC walkout when he makes his entrance to the octagon on Saturday as he takes on Rodrigo Vargas on the main card of UFC London. It appears that the Scouser could follow in the footsteps of Darren Till in doing so, who has previously built his legacy off of his beloved British fanbase’s support.

    A successful first UFC appearance in front of fans could see Pimblett cause havoc. That will certainly be what ‘The Baddy’ is expecting to happen as he looks to steal the limelight once more with the hype train of Pimblett set to take center stage at UFC London.

    Do you think Paddy Pimblett could become the UFC’s next cash cow?

  • Pimblett: I Don’t Understand How People Can Put Down Conor McGregor

    Rising UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett believes former two-division champion Conor McGregor deserves more respect for what he’s achieved in the sport of MMA.

    Pimblett is the latest fighter from across the Atlantic labeled the ‘next McGregor’. Through his entertaining fighting style, previous Cage Warriors championship success, and outspoken personality, many expect “The Baddy,” who made a successful UFC debut last September, to follow in the Irishman’s footsteps.

    Last November, Pimblett even got the nod of approval from the man himself. In a now-deleted tweet, McGregor admitted his excitement at the Liverpool native’s potential.

    “Very excited to see what he can do. A great representation for the UK and for Liverpool. Rooting for him!”

    Ahead of his latest appearance inside the Octagon, Pimblett has returned the favor by speaking incredibly highly of the UFC’s first simultaneous double champ.

    Pimblett Returns The Favor With McGregor Compliment

    Despite his accomplishments in MMA’s premier promotion, which includes title glory at both featherweight and lightweight, and wins over names like Dustin Poirier, Nate Diaz, Chad Mendes, Max Holloway, and José Aldo, McGregor’s achievements are often pushed behind his famed trash talk, outside-the-cage antics, and current losing skid in discussions.

    For Pimblett, that needs to change. During a recent interview with Combat Sports UK, “The Baddy” asserted that McGregor deserves more respect for changing the game in MMA, both in terms of ability and wealth.

    “He changed the game, simple as that. He’s changed the game for when it comes to fighter pay and stuff like that,” claimed Pimblett. “I don’t understand how people can put him down. He’s the first double champ. People need to put more respect on his name. Man, it’s easy to kick someone when he’s down but when he was at his highest, he was taking the sport to levels we’ve never seen.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    While he’s not necessarily targeting the same level as McGregor, Pimblett is hoping to rise up the lightweight ladder and reach stardom, something he believes he’s always been destined to achieve.

    To continue that pursuit, he’ll have to get past Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas in his sophomore Octagon outing this weekend at UFC London.

    If he manages to secure a win in front of his home crowd, he’ll certainly increase the attention around his name and perhaps even prove that an Anfield headliner isn’t too far away…

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbIRLrSuhE0/

    Do you think Paddy Pimblett can get close to reaching the heights Conor McGregor has in the UFC?

  • Kazula Vargas Thinks ‘Kid’ Paddy Pimblett Is Overrated

    UFC lightweight Kazula Vargas doesn’t think Paddy Pimblett’s fame and popularity are warranted ahead of their matchup at UFC London.

    Vargas and Pimblett will square off on the UFC London main card in front of what should be a raucous crowd at The O2 Arena. This will be Pimblett’s second fight in the UFC, and first in the U.K. since his time in Cage Warriors.

    Vargas is looking to steal the show and earn a big win over Pimblett. He’s coming off of a unanimous decision win over Zhu Rong at UFC 261 last year.

    Pimblett earned the main card slot due to a massive following. But, Vargas isn’t sure if Pimblett is deserving of the added attention this early in his UFC tenure.

    During his UFC London pre-fight press conference, Vargas questioned whether or not Pimblett’s accolades in MMA are worth the intense hype ahead of their fight.

    “It’s normal for him to have all this hype, he’s from London and most of his fights have been here. But I actually think he’s a bit of a kid. He’s got good things, but he’s got a lot of bad things as well.

    “He’s probably overrated.”

    Vargas went on to explain why he feels Pimblett is overrated and what he’s taken from his past performances.

    “I haven’t seen all of his fights, but I’ve seen about five or six. I think he’s got a lot of holes in his fights and we’ll try to take advantage of that. But like all UFC fighters, we’re here because we’re the best and we’ll try to take advantage of those holes.”

    Pimblett was arguably the biggest signing by the UFC in 2021, following a decorated stint in Cage Warriors. His debut arguably lived up to the immense hype with a first-round knockout of Luigi Vendramini last September.

    Vargas is looking to back up his claim that Pimblett is overrated this weekend at UFC London. If he’s able to earn a win over Pimblett, he may steal some of his hype in the process.

    What is your prediction for Kazula Vargas vs. Paddy Pimblett?

  • Paddy Pimblett Details Altercation With “Hand Sanitizer Boy” Topuria

    Lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett has detailed his hotel altercation with fellow UFC London competitor Ilia Topuria, and even debuted a new nickname for the Georgian.

    This weekend sees the UFC return to England’s capital for the first time since 2019. In two notable main card lightweight scraps, Paddy Pimblett will be making his sophomore appearance in the Octagon, while #15-ranked featherweight Topuria will be competing at 155 pounds for the first time.

    Sharing the cage with Topuria in the main card opener will be Englishman Jai Herbert. Three fights later, “The Baddy,” who is expected to be showered with perhaps the loudest cheers of the night, will collide with Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas.

    While they may be preparing for different opponents, Pimblett and Topuria nearly got into full-blown fight themselves at the fighter hotel on Tuesday, which was apparently over a tweet posted by the Brit in 2021.

    In a video recorded by a member of Topuria’s entourage, the Georgian can be seen approaching the Liverpudlian. The pair were split after a number of thrown items and insults were exchanged.

    During his appearance at media day on Wednesday, Pimblett gave his side of the story, channeling his inner-Colby Covington with a new nickname for Topuria.

    “Who’s that? Oh, hand sanitizer boy? Is that who you mean? Yeah, that’s his name from now on,” said Pimblett. “Don’t refer to him as his name lad, his name’s hand sanitizer. It got bounced off his head. But I don’t concern myself with none of that lad. He wanted to come at me and try to act hard, and he got put in his place.

    “I was stood there, on me own, and there was about six of them. And he done nothing,” Pimblett continued. “If he wanted to do something, he would’ve come around the table and tried to have a fight with me. But he didn’t. He stood on the other side of the table because he knows what’s good for him.”

    After confirming that Topuria approached him prior to the incident, Pimblett branded the Georgian’s actions as “little man syndrome.”

    “As soon as he come out of those double doors he snarled me. So I looked at him and said, ‘What?’” Pimblett recalled. “And then he walked towards me and I said, ‘What’s happening lad?’ And then as he got close to me, he like, swiped a slap at me. Obviously lad, if you raise your hand to me, I’m gonna do something.

    “I stepped back and picked the hand sanitizer up and bounced it off his head. He swung… I moved out of the way with a bit of ease. He’s just got a little bit of small man syndrome. He’s only 5’7″, isn’t he?”

    Pimblett Explains Why He Didn’t Let Topuria Clash Escalate

    Despite the launching of sanitary objects and a few loose swings from Topuria, the pair’s altercation didn’t quite reach the point where fists connected.

    Pimblett explained that, with an exciting appearance at UFC London looming, he couldn’t risk losing his spot on the card, either through injury or disciplinary actions.

    “I wasn’t punching him because I’m not breaking my hand and not being able to fight and earn my money on the weekend… I can’t let something like that happen lad. I can’t start throwing punches and get cut off the card… Especially (against) someone so meaningless. Who even is he? Seriously, who is Mr. Hand Sanitizer? He’s a no one.”

    https://twitter.com/theufcbaddy/status/1504024299224584195

    While the interaction remains a hot topic, both Pimblett and Topuria will be looking to turn their full attention to the task at hand this Saturday. if both are victorious, perhaps we’ll see them share the Octagon down the line.

    Would you like to see Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria settle their differences inside the Octagon?

  • Watch: Paddy Pimblett & Ilia Topuria Involved In Backstage Altercation

    UFC fighters Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria may not be fighting each other this weekend at UFC London, but that didn’t stop them at the fighter hotel.

    Pimblett will face Kazula Vargas in his second fight in the UFC’s lightweight division, in front of what should be a raucous crowd at The O2 Arena in London. He won his UFC debut over Luigi Vendramini last September.

    This will also be Pimblett’s first fight in the UK since he fought in Cage Warriors.

    Topuria will also fight at lightweight at UFC London despite competing at featherweight for the majority of his career. He’ll face rising British MMA prospect, Jai Herbert, on the main card.

    In a video of the incident, Topuria appears to throw a punch at Pimblett while he and his team passed him before personnel intervened and separated the two fighters.

    Topuria shared footage of the incident in a recent tweet and sent a message to Pimblett.

    “I wanted you!” Topuria said. “This is what happens when you disrespect me and my country! You saw me and wanted to greet me because you shit your pants… and you should thank my team because of it wasn’t for them separating me, I would have taken your head off.”

    Topuria’s animosity towards Pimblett appears to stem from Pimblett’s previous comments about the country of Georgia, Topuria’s home nation. UFC fighter Liana Jojua highlighted Pimblett’s comments in a tweet last April.

    “Lad how stupid are these Georgians man,” Pimblett appears to tweet. “No wonder the Russians terrorise their lives.”

    The UFC has yet to issue a statement on the near-brawl and both Pimblett and Topuria will remain on the main card for UFC London. Both lightweights could be on a collision course if both continue their recent winning ways.

    What is your reaction to this Paddy Pimblett/Ilia Topuria altercation?

  • Pimblett Reveals How He Hopes To Give Back To Liverpool

    Paddy Pimblett wants to make a difference in his hometown.

    Paddy Pimblett is the new kid in the UFC. He burst onto the scene last year when he made his UFC debut. Pimbeltt is not new to MMA; however, he has had a big following from his time in the UK-based Cage Warriors promotion, and that following has stayed with him and is growing.

    Pimblett is one of the biggest personalities in MMA coming out of Liverpool. Now that he is in the “big show,” he wants to find a way to give back.

    “Investing is something I do need to start doing, and I am gonna start doing very soon. But what I wanna do first, to be honest, is I wanna get my own charity going first, a little foundation for the people of Liverpool, people that need help,” Pimblett told the UFC Unfiltered podcast. “There’s a lot of people in my city that are not well off and haven’t go the advantages I’ve got and they haven’t got the possibilities that I’ve got, especially the youth of today in my city. I wanna be able to give something back.”

    Paddy Pimblett
    Paddy Pimblett

    Pimblett has his next bout in the UFC already lined up. He will be making his UFC home debut when he fights Rodrigo Vargas at UFC London on March 19. Since joining the UFC, Pimblett has been called out by a few fighters. He is a fan favorite and a talented up and comer. His first-round KO over Luigi Vendramini showed he could stand toe to toe with the upper echelon of the MMA world.

    Because of his flare and fast-growing fanbase, Pimblett can easily be compared to Conor McGregor. McGregor was able to take his success in the UFC and make a name for himself outside of fighting.

    Taking a page out of McGregor’s book could be the future for Pimblett, but he has a long road ahead of him. If he keeps racking up wins, he will have the opportunities to do all the goodwill and business he wants to do.

    Are you excited to see Paddy Pimblett back in action at UFC London?

  • Watch: O2 Arena Ripped Apart By Storm Weeks Before UFC London

    It appears the UFC’s long-awaited return to London, England may have hit another roadblock in the form of Britain’s worst storm in decades.

    On March 19, MMA’s premier promotion is set to host a card in England’s capital for the first time since 2019. After an attempt to cross the Atlantic proved unsuccessful last September, the UK audience has finally had an event officially confirmed, one that sold out in minutes.

    But an extreme weather event may be about to throw a spanner in the works. As Storm Eunice causes havoc across the British Isles and delivers record-breaking gusts, damage is inevitable. What most probably hadn’t banked on, though, was the roof of the O2 Arena being torn off…

    https://twitter.com/BJFHubbard/status/1494650273549201408

    While it’s uncertain how serious the damage is and what a potential repair timeline will look like, the storm continues to rage on. With that in mind, it’s unlikely the venue will remain in its current state, with further destruction expected.

    It’s impossible to tell at this stage whether UFC London will be affected. However, with WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Lawrence Okolie set to make his second defense against challenger Michel Cieslak next weekend at the O2, we can expect the status of the March 19 UFC Fight Night to become clearer towards the end of the month.

    The O2 Is Set To Host A Stacked British Showcase

    Having been kept to US-based events and Abu Dhabi-held cards since the COVID-19 pandemic caused havoc in 2020, the UFC has understandably pulled out all the stops ahead of its return to overseas events.

    As well as the presence of top UK names and prospects like Tom Aspinall, Arnold Allen, Paddy Pimblett, Paul Craig, and Molly McCann, well-known international fighters like Dan Hooker, Ilia Topuria, Nikita Krylov, Gunnar Nelson, and Alexander Volkov are also set to enter the cage inside London’s O2 Arena.

    With a host of exciting matchups set, fans will certainly be hoping any more damage to the host venue as a result of Storm Eunice is limited.

    Listed below are the fights currently expected to go down on March 19 in London, England:

    Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall (heavyweight main event)

    Dan Hooker vs. Arnold Allen (featherweight)

    Paul Craig vs. Nikita Krylov (light heavyweight)

    Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Sergei Pavlovich (heavyweight)

    Jack Shore vs. Timur Valiev (bantamweight)

    Paddy Pimblett vs. Kazula Vargas (lightweight)

    Gunnar Nelson vs. Claudio Silva (welterweight)

    Nathanial Wood vs. Liudvik Sholinian (bantamweight)

    Ilia Topuria vs. Jai Herbert (lightweight)

    Makwan Amirkhani vs. Mike Grundy (featherweight)

    Molly McCann vs. Luana Carolina (women’s flyweight)

    Cody Durden vs. Muhammad Mokaev (flyweight)

    Cory McKenna vs. Elise Reed (women’s strawweight)

    Which UFC London fight are you most looking forward to on March 19?

  • Paddy Pimblett Believes Jake Paul’s Fighter Pay Talk Is For Publicity

    Paddy Pimblett doesn’t think Jake Paul is sincere about wanting to change fighter pay.

    Recently, fighters like Anthony Smith have come out and said they believe Paul truly wants fighters to make more. However, Pimblett along with Al Iaquinta doesn’t think that is true, as he thinks the YouTuber-turned-boxer is only doing it for clout.

    “I’ll be honest, that’s the thing that pi**ed me off. He’s going on, he’s trying to act like a martyr, like he’s helping MMA fighters,” Pimblett said on his YouTube channel (via Sportskeeda). “He’s not, lad. He’s just doing that for his won publicity… That’s why the only thing that’s pi**ing me off about it, people are like, ‘Aah, he’s actually being good for MMA fighters.’ He’s not. He just wants to make a show of Dana White and that’s the perfect way of doing it.”

    Jake Paul
    Complex

    Jake Paul has taken shots at Dana White throughout his time in combat sports, which has even gotten a response from the UFC boss. He also said he would retire from boxing if White made the minimum pay $50k, which has not happened. But for Paddy Pimblett, he believes Paul is only doing this for his own benefit.

    Meanwhile, Paul has also said things that seem hard to believe, like him taking an MMA fight. Pimblett says there’s no shot that happens.

    “The way he’s saying, ‘I’m gonna end up getting in the cage.’ You’re not, lad,” Pimblett added. “You’re not, stop lying. If you wanna have an MMA fight, I’ll fight you in my ma’s garden tomorrow. You know what I mean?”

    Whether or not Jake Paul is actually serious is still unknown. The YouTuber along with some MMA fighters says he is while Pimblett, among countless others, doesn’t think he cares at all.

    As for Pimblett, he will return to the Octagon at UFC London on March 19 against Kazula Vargas.

    Do you agree with Paddy Pimblett over his comments about Jake Paul?

  • Pimblett Reveals Why He’s Glad Gordon Fight Didn’t Come To Fruition

    UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett has explained why he’s partly pleased that a fight with previously-rumored opponent Jared Gordon didn’t come to fruition.

    2021 was certainly a breakout year for Pimblett on the global MMA stage. The former Cage Warriors champion made his long-awaited promotional debut on a European-heavy UFC Vegas 36 card last September. His first task was to dispatch Luigi Vendramini.

    After the opening exchanges, it looked like that was going to be a bigger challenge than first expected. After being rocked by some clean shots and taken down, the early momentum was with the Brazilian. That didn’t last. Making good on his pre-fight prediction, the Liverpudlian flipped the script towards the end of the first round and knocked Vendramini out.

    Now, after a longer-than-desired layoff, Pimblett is preparing for his sophomore Octagon outing. It’ll come in front of a home crowd at UFC London on March 19. In his way of a continued rise up the 155-pound ladder will be Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas.

    Pimblett Doesn’t Want To Face UFC Vets Yet

    Prior to the official fight announcement, Paddy Pimblett was expected to face a lightweight he’d interacted with in the past and had expressed interest in facing, Jared Gordon. All signs pointed towards the matchup being made and UFC President Dana White confirmed as much.

    But after both parties disputed White’s remarks and denied that the fight had been offered to them, news broke that Pimblett’s return to action would come against 1-2 UFC fighter Vargas.

    While a clash with Gordon would have represented a big step-up in competition, as well as the chance to avenge his teammate Chris Fishgold’s 2020 defeat to “Flash,” Pimblett is actually glad he’s been booked against another relative newcomer instead.

    During a recent appearance on the UFC Unfiltered podcast, “The Baddy” suggested he’d rather wait to fight UFC veterans like Gordon until he secures a more lucrative contract with the promotion.

    “He (Gordon) never got floated at my team to be honest. No fighter actually got put forward until Rodrigo Vargas. The first opponent I got given was Rodrigo Vargas. But I would have happily fought Jared Gordon, but at the same time, I looked at it and he’s had nine UFC fights. How much money do you think he’s getting? He’s getting a lot more than me, lad. So, thinking about it that way, I’m glad I never ended up fighting Jared Gordon, ’cause I want a better and bigger contract before I fight people like that.”

    Having previously asserted he won’t be fighting any top-10 lightweight without a six-figure contract, it’s clear Pimblett will be attempting to bring a rising pay bracket with him as he jumps up the UFC ranks.

    https://twitter.com/theufcbaddy/status/1486745774444662787

    While he may be facing an arguably lesser level of competition than Gordon on March 19, Pimblett appears to harbor hope of facing “Flash” down the line, a sentiment shared by Gordon on social media.

    For now, “The Baddy” will hope to extend his winning start in the promotion with a triumph against Vargas and begin what he hopes to be a 3-0 year in MMA’s premier organization. Perhaps #2 or #3 can come against Gordon if Pimblett can get past “Kazula.”

    Would you like to see Paddy Pimblett and Jared Gordon share the Octagon down the line?

  • Report: Paddy Pimblett Booked For UFC London Against Kazula Vargas

    Paddy Pimblett’s return to the UFC cage is set.

    “The Baddy” Pimblett is scheduled to make his second UFC appearance on March 19, facing Kazula Vargas in a lightweight bout. The fight is expected to take place at UFC’s return to the O2 Arena in London England. News of the fight was first reported by MMA Fight Club and later confirmed by multiple sources.

    It was previously mentioned by UFC President Dana White that Pimblett would make his return this year against Jared Gordon. However, that matchup was later denied by the management team of both Pimblett and Gordon.

    Pimblett Coming Off Strong UFC Debut

    Paddy Pimblett
    Credit: Dolly Clew, Cage Warriors

    Pimblett will be attempting to follow up his hectic UFC debut. He won his UFC debut in September 2021, stopping Luigi Vendramini late in the first round of a quick back-and-forth battle.

    Pimblett is known for his entertaining fighting style and his charisma as a person. He had a long run in Cage Warriors before his UFC run, resulting in numerous title fights between 2016 to 2018.

    Vargas is also coming off his first UFC victory. The former Combate Americas fighter snapped a two-fight skid in April, returning to the cage against Rongzhu for a unanimous decision win.

    Pimblett is joining a card that already has a strong lineup of fighters that train out of England. The event is reportedly also expected to include names like Tom Aspinall and Molly McCann, along with the UFC debuts of Muhammad Mokaev and Jake Hadley.

    Here’s the updated lineup for UFC’s March 19th show:

    Heavyweight Bout: Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall

    Lightweight Bout: Paddy Pimblett vs. Kazula Vargas

    Featherweight Bout: Mike Grundy vs. Makwan Amirkhani

    Bantamweight Bout: Jack Shore vs. Timur Valiev

    Flyweight Bout: Molly McCann vs. Luana Carolina

    Flyweight Bout: Muhammad Mokaev vs. Cody Durden

    Strawweight Bout: Elise Reed vs. Cory McKenna

    Flyweight Bout: Jake Hadley vs. Allan Nascimento

    What do you think about Paddy Pimblett’s matchup at UFC London?

  • Pimblett Credits Former UFC Women’s FW For Early MMA Development

    Paddy Pimblett is giving credit to his early training partner.

    Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett is the new kid in the UFC block. He made his promotional debut last year in a big way. The former Cage Warrior champion had a warm reception when he came to the UFC and won his first fight. Pimblett is now giving some props to the people who helped him get his start in MMA.

    “Something I think that helped me a lot, and Paul (Reed) always says it helped her as well, was Rosi Sexton. When I first started training, she had not long been signed by the UFC. She might had not even been signed by the UFC yet. And I became her sparring partner,” Pimblett explained to ESPN.

    “So at the age of 15, I was sparring with Rosi, who was a brown belt in jiu-jitsu, and she’d fought all sorts. She’d fought a who’s who of women’s MMA. She just hadn’t fought in the UFC yet. I think she’d just beat Roxanne Modafferi. I was sparring with her for that fight. So when I was like 15, before I’d even fought, I was sparring with Rosi, just before she was going into the UFC and for her UFC fights. I was sparring with her until I eventually got too big for her. That’s something that I always say, that helped me a lot.”

    Sexton fought in the UFC for two fights back in 2012-2013. In her time there she lost both fights to Jéssica Andrade and Alexis Davis. She also faced Joanna Jędrzejczyk before she came to the UFC. She also faced Gina Carano back in 2006. Pimblett gives credit to one other female training partner for helping fighters such as himself get started in MMA.

    “You see it nowadays with Molly (McCann). Molly spars with the young lads who are like 15, 16, 17,” Pimblett said. “It brought me on tenfold, lad. That’s one thing that I don’t ever really mention, but I need to thank Rosi for that. Without her, I probably wouldn’t be as good as I am.”

    Pimblett is now on a three-fight winning streak including his UFC debut win over Luigi Vendramini. Pimblett’s look and fighting skills have made him a UFC star overnight. He is being called out by several fighters. Although his next matchup is not set yet, Pimblett is hoping to make it into the Octagon three times this year.

    What do you think of Paddy Pimblett’s introduction to MMA training?

  • Paddy Pimblett Would Choose Anfield Main Event Over UFC Title Win

    UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett has revealed he’d choose a main event fight at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium over a championship.

    Pimblett burst onto the scene as a highly-touted prospect last year with an impressive debut performance. After signing with MMA’s premier organization following a successful career in the renowned Cage Warriors promotion, where he held the featherweight title, “The Baddy” made his first appearance in the UFC Vegas 36 main card opener last September.

    Despite facing early adversity against Luigi Vendramini, which saw him appear to be rocked by a clean right hand, the Liverpool native recovered well to make good on his pre-fight promise of a first-round finish. With an onslaught of punches late in the opening frame, Pimblett slumped his Brazilian opponent against the cage.

    As well as a memorable first performance in the Octagon, Pimblett made his presence in the 155-pound weight class further known shortly after with an entertaining post-fight interview.

    Pimblett Boasts Hometown Aspirations

    For Pimblett, the success he’s beginning to realize is no surprise. He’s always believed it was his destiny to find glory on the regional scene, make his way to the UFC, and surge up the promotion’s ladder.

    While he’s certainly still early into his UFC tenure, Pimblett is not shy about making his visions and ambitions clear. As well as a 3-0 record in 2022, “The Baddy” has his sights set on main-eventing a UFC card at the home of Liverpool Football Club, Anfield Stadium.

    During a recent interview with ESPN MMA, Pimblett discussed his ultimate aspiration on MMA’s biggest stage, suggesting it’s likely to take place in two or three years’ time. While he acknowledges he’s not yet in a position to make demands, the Liverpudlian expects to be walking out in front of up to 80,000 of his own people after making his way towards the lightweight rankings.

    “I’ll be honest with you, that’s (Anfield main event) not gonna be until like ’24, ’25 that. I’m gonna win three fights in ’22, and then I can start demanding it when I’m 4-0 in the UFC and I’m working towards a ranking. That’s when I can start saying it. But they’re not gonna give me it until I’m in like, the top 10 or if I can have one contender fight, or something like that; I know they’re not. Cause it’s going to be like 70,000 people, lad, 80,000 people. It’s gonna be sick.

    “That’s happening. I’ve said it. People were asking me on me Twitch last night, people kept saying, ‘It’s gonna be like a UFC Liverpool (like in) London, why don’t they just do it in the Echo Arena?’ And I’m like, ‘Because it’s too small.’ I filled the Echo Arena out on me own, for Cage Warriors, never-mind with the UFC name attached to it and all the high-profile fights fighting on it, like (Darren) Till, Molly (McCann), and (Tom) Aspinall. It’s gonna need a football stadium.”

    To give some context to how much he wants the Anfield main event to happen, Pimblett was asked whether he’d choose that or a title-winning performance in the UFC. For the 27-year-old, the answer was simple: the option that creates the biggest legacy for himself in the city of Liverpool.

    “I’d probably pick Anfield (over a UFC title). Because that’s for my people. That’ll be my people there watching me… Obviously, I’m in this to become a UFC world champion. I’m in this sport for the legacy; the name you leave behind. I’m not really in it for the money. I’m in it for the legacy and what I leave behind. But I think I’d leave a better legacy in my city if I headlined at Anfield and won a fight, rather than winning a title abroad. So I’d rather do that for my own people.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CTwe7L0sDbm/

    While he’s certainly a few wins and a few jumps up the lightweight ladder away from main event status, not least in a stadium the size of Anfield, Pimblett will be hoping to take the next step towards it when he enters the Octagon for the second time and the first time in 2022.

    While an opponent is yet to be announced, Pimblett expects to fight on the March 19 UFC Fight Night card, an event expected to mark the promotion’s return to London, England. A recent back and forth on Twitter suggested the Englishman may be matched up with Jared Gordon.

    Do you think Paddy Pimblett’s dream of headlining a UFC event at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool can come to fruition?

  • Pimblett On 2022: I’m Gonna Go 3-0 & Become A Box Office Star

    UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett has revealed his lofty aspirations for the year ahead, and they include a perfect record and a rise to stardom.

    Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, arrived on MMA’s biggest stage last year with a memorable debut performance. After signing months prior, “The Baddy” made his long-awaited first appearance on the UFC Vegas 36 main card in September.

    The man looking to stall his rise was Luigi Vendramini. In the opening exchanges, it looked like he was on his way to doing so. The Brazilian landed some hard shots, including a right hand that appeared to stun Pimblett.

    However, when the Liverpudlian found his rhythm, the end came shortly after for Vendramini. Delivering on his pre-fight promise, Pimblett secured the first-round knockout, before sending a warning to the rest of the lightweights in his post-fight interview.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXll_-KsgqK/

    Pimblett Sees Big Things For Himself In 2022

    While Pimblett had hoped to fit his sophomore appearance into 2021, sponsorships and other matters required his attention, delaying his second UFC appearance until this year. And while his next opponent is yet to be announced, “The Baddy” boasts lofty ambitions for 2022.

    During an interview with ESPN MMA, Pimblett suggested he’ll be going 3-0 inside the Octagon this year. Not only that, the charismatic 27-year-old believes he will have established himself as the second biggest box office draw in the UFC before the start of 2023.

    “I think I’m gonna go 3-0 in the UFC and I’m gonna become the biggest box-office name they’ve got, besides Conor McGregor,” said Pimblett. “Besides him, I’m gonna be the biggest box office name, because he is the name. I know for a fact If I fought him, it would be the most box-offices sold ever, ever. Without a shadow of a doubt. Because people wanna see him get beat and people wanna see him win, and people wanna see me get beat, people wanna see me win.”

    Explaining why he believes he’ll reach a level of stardom behind only that of McGregor, Pimblett had a simple answer: because he’s “The Baddy.”

    “Cause I’m ‘The Baddy.’ Lad, I’ve got a little saying lately, everyone loves ‘The Baddy,’ everyone lad. It’s boss, it’s a great feeling, to be honest,” claimed Pimblett.

    If Pimblett is to be believed, his first appearance of the year will take place on the March 10 UFC Fight Night card, targeted to be the promotion’s return to London, England.

    After his post-fight callout was accepted by Pimblett last year, it appeared Jared Gordon was set to be lined up as the next UFC litmus test for “The Baddy.” While talk of that clash had seemingly died down, recent comments from both men suggest that could be the next fight added to the expected UFC London card.

    While a win over an established name like Gordon would do wonders for Pimblett’s standing at 155 pounds, he’ll be needing some more victories to make his 2022 predictions come true.

    Can you see Paddy Pimblett’s predictions for his career coming true this year?

  • Pimblett On Makhachev’s Record: “I’d Submit Hooker In The 1st Round”

    UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett is not at all impressed with Islam Makhachev and his title credentials, claiming he’d also be able to submit Dan Hooker in the first-round.

    Since falling to his only loss professional MMA at the hands of Adriano Martins in 2015, Makhachev has built a win streak impressive enough to ascend him into the top five at 155 pounds.

    Victories over Arman Tsarukyan, Davi Ramos, and Drew Dober landed the Dagestani his first main event slot. At UFC Vegas 31, he made the most of it by submitting formerly-ranked contender Thiago Moisés. Having risen to #5 on the lightweight ladder, much to the bemusement of some, Makhachev had the chance to jump closer to the title three months later on Fight Island.

    The Abu Dhabi fan favorite faced short-notice opponent Hooker at UFC 267 after a clash with long-time rival Rafael dos Anjos fell through for the third time. In the opening round, Makhachev showed his superiority on the ground by submitting “The Hangman” with a brutal kimura.

    Having defeated a top-10 opponent and extended his active win streak to nine, many are beginning to sing the praises of Makhachev and brand him a future champion, suggesting he could perhaps even hold gold by the end of 2022. However, one rising 155lber doesn’t share the same sentiment.

    During a recent appearance on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett downplayed Makhachev’s form and résumé. After suggesting the #4-ranked lightweight hasn’t beaten anyone of note except Hooker, Pimblett claimed he’d be able to beat the New Zealander in a similar fashion.

    “Makhachev hasn’t fought anyone lad,” Pimblett said. “He’s only fought Hooker. I think I’d submit Hooker in the first round. That’s what I mean, he’s a kickboxer lad. I’d take him down and submit him.”

    Pimblett Can’t See Makhachev Beating Gaethje, Oliveira Or Dariush

    Following his victory over Hooker, many expected Makhachev to perhaps be accelerated to the title next. Unfortunately for him, Justin Gaethje’s winning performance in a Fight of the Year contender against Michael Chandler effectively prevented that from being a possibility.

    With “The Highlight” set to challenge for Charles Oliveira’s gold this year, Makhachev has had to settle for a title eliminator against #3-ranked contender Beneil Dariush.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXtKADJKVW-/

    But while many see Makhachev ending Dariush’s seven-fight win streak before dethroning the winner of Gaethje vs. Oliveira in late 2022, Pimblett doesn’t believe the Dagestani has what it takes to beat any of them.

    “Whoever wins out of Oliveira/Gaethje (will enter 2023 with the title), because I can’t see Makhachev beating either of them… I think Dariush beats Makhachev. I rate Dariush mate, I think he’s very underrated. He’s fucking quality.”

    We won’t have to wait long for the first of those three predictions to be tested. Makhachev and Dariush are set to headline a UFC Fight Night card on February 26.

    Barring an inconclusive end to the next title fight or the intervention of a certain Conor McGregor, it stands to reason the victor will be joining the champion inside the Octagon at the end of this year.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised on February 26, Islam Makhachev or Beneil Dariush?

  • Chael Sonnen Hits Back At Paddy Pimblett Over ‘Stupid’ Clickbait Claim

    Chael Sonnen has responded to Paddy Pimblett accusing him of clickbait after the recent rumors surrounding a possible Donald Cerrone fight.

    Pimblett is coming off an impressive UFC debut over Luigi Vendramini in 2021. After a long tenure with Cage Warriors, he made the move to the UFC as arguably the biggest signing by the promotion in recent years.

    Speculation has run rampant in recent weeks and months regarding who Pimblett will face next. Some pundits, including Sonnen, have alluded to a possible matchup with Cerrone happening for his next UFC test.

    Pimblett ruled out Cerrone being his next opponent in recent days and also accused Sonnen of pushing a false narrative for his next fight. During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen took exception to Pimblett’s jab.

    “Is Paddy secretly one stupid son of a bi**h?” Sonnen said. “Paddy woke up, took stupid pills, and goes on Michael Bisping’s show. On Michael’s show, Paddy accuses me of using his name for clickbait… I’d never do it and I’m also irritated that Paddy thinks his name is big enough that I would clickbait him. That might sound arrogant but that’s the truth. It pissed me off…

    “Three weeks ago, I was sitting with Cerrone. He asked me what weight Paddy is. I had beautiful things to say about him. As I’m having this conversation, Cowboy’s texting Sean Shelby saying does Paddy have an opponent. I asked him, ‘Can I talk about this? He said, ‘Yes.’ So that’s what we did.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    Paddy Pimblett Pointed To Chael Sonnen For Starting The Rumors

    Earlier this week during an appearance on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast, Pimblett blamed Sonnen for allegedly sparking the Cerrone rumors. He also teased that his next Octagon appearance will take place on the upcoming UFC London card.

    Sonnen has never been unafraid to state what he thinks on a variety of topics, specifically when it comes to MMA. Regarded as one of the best trash talkers in the sport’s history, Sonnen has transitioned well from fighting to a career in broadcasting.

    Pimblett and Sonnen will more than likely bump into each other at some point this year, and it’ll be interesting to see if they bury the hatchet and settle their differences.

    What are your thoughts on Chael Sonnen’s comments? Who do you want to see Paddy Pimblett fight next?

  • Pimblett: If Oliveira Can Do That To Poirier, So Can I

    Rising UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett says Charles Oliveira’s victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 has given him the confidence that he could do the same in a fight against “The Diamond.”

    Having joined the UFC roster in 2021, Pimblett now has the privilege of having a front-row seat alongside his fellow stars at pay-per-view events. He made full use of that treatment for the final PPV card of last year, headlined by Oliveira’s first title defense.

    Having won the vacant belt earlier in the year with a memorable comeback against Michael Chandler, “Do Bronx” was looking to legitimize his place on the lightweight throne and his championship credentials, something the likes of Justin Gaethje and a portion of The UFC fanbase doubted.

    He answered their questions in emphatic fashion by locking in a standing rear-naked choke in the third round that forced Poirier to tap out.

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

    Pimblett Fancies His Chances Opposite “The Diamond”

    In the eyes of most, the win cemented Oliveira’s place as the best lightweight in the world right now. A victory over Poirier, a heavy favourite heading into the clash and the consensus best 155lber leading into UFC 269, certainly seems worthy of securing that title. However, one future star in the division had a different takeaway from the result.

    During a recent appearance on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast, “The Baddy” suggested Oliveira’s ability to take Poirier’s back and lock in a submission has convinced him he’d be able to find the same success against the former interim titleholder.

    “I went with Poirier over Oliveira. And lad, after watching that fight as well, I’m watching that thinking, ‘Lad, if Oliveira can do that to you Dustin, I can.’ It’s mad like, when you watch (it), MMA math doesn’t work, but when you watch fights, you’re just like, ‘Wow, if he can do that and get in that position, then fucking I can.’”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXll_-KsgqK/

    While Pimblett certainly has a long way to go before he joins the same conversations as Poirier, he is highly touted by many. That includes by his fellow Englishman Bisping, who believes he has the confidence and mindset to one day become a champion on MMA’s biggest stage.

    After impressing on debut with a first-round knockout against Luigi Vendramini, “The Baddy” will be hoping for similar success in 2022, a year he aims to fight three times in. That looks set to start on March 19, a card targeted to be the promotion’s return to London, England.

    How do you think Paddy Pimblett would fare inside the Octagon against Dustin Poirier?

  • Pimblett Confirms Likely UFC London Fight, Hasn’t Been Offered Cerrone

    Paddy Pimblett has hinted that he’ll return to action on the card expected to take place in London in March, but it seemingly won’t be against Donald Cerrone.

    In mid-2021, Pimblett had signed for MMA’s premier organization and the hype surrounding his UFC debut was rising. That first appearance finally happened at UFC Vegas 36 in September. At a European-heavy event, he joined UK stars Darren Till and Tom Aspinall on the main card.

    Ahead of his first Octagon outing, Pimblett repeatedly promised to knock Luigi Vendramini out inside the first round. In the early exchanges, in which “The Baddy” appeared to be rocked and was taken down, that prediction looked unlikely.

    But with less than a minute until the horn sounded, Pimblett found his rhythm and finished his Brazilian opponent on the feet. The following post-fight interview saw Pimblett well and truly announce his arrival in the UFC’s 155-pound division.

    Pimblett Says “He’ll Take Someone’s head off” In The O2

    Since Pimblett’s debut victory, there’s been plenty of speculation about his second fight and next opponent. The most prominent rumor surrounded a potential clash with UFC veteran Donald Cerrone. Talk of that clash first appeared after Chael Sonnen suggested “Cowboy” had told him of his interest in facing the young Liverpudlian.

    But during a recent appearance on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast, Pimblett said there’s no truth to the idea he’ll be facing Cerrone in early March, suggesting it would make no sense for the promotion to book him on a US card just weeks before they reportedly head to his home country of England.

    “It’s going round everywhere, but there’s no truth to it. Nothing on my end. Do you really think that the UFC are gonna put me on a card on the 5th of March in Vegas when they’re doing London on the 19th? It doesn’t make sense… I think that was just Chael having a little go for some clickbait or something. It started with Chael.”

    While it appears Cerrone won’t be the opponent, Pimblett is certainly eager to make the London walk on March 19. He further told Bisping that an appearance on the card, which is already set to feature his teammate Molly McCann and fellow UK prospect Jack Shore, is “happening.”

    “I would like to fight in London, in front of my home crowd. It would be sick… That’s what I’m guessing (will happen) and that’s what I’ve been told, that me and Molly will be fighting on the same card… That’s happening. I’m gonna take someone’s head off again in the O2. I’ll announce myself once again.”

    Despite the UFC’s expected return to London being just over two months away, Pimblett says he’s yet to hear anything from the promotion regarding a potential opponent. But whoever he’s matched up with, the fight is certain to have an electric crowd watching on inside the O2 arena if the London card comes to fruition.

    Who would you like to see Paddy Pimblett face if the UFC returns to London for the March 19 card?