Sophia Michaels
Paddy Pimblett, known for his unique personality and fighting prowess, has become a beloved figure in mixed martial arts (MMA). His rise to fame can be attributed to his impressive fighting abilities and his larger-than-life character. As a proud native of Liverpool, Pimblett shared in a March 2023 interview with Forbes that he often encounters fans who want to take pictures with him, a testament to his popularity. “You should never complain about it,” he said of his fame.
Beyond the octagon, Pimblett has made a significant impact by launching The Baddy Foundation in December 2022, aimed at promoting men’s mental health and addressing food insecurity among children. Earlier that year, he gained attention for speaking openly about the importance of men discussing their mental health challenges, urging them to reach out for help if needed.
Despite his achievements and advocacy, Pimblett has faced numerous controversies that have cast shadows over his career, reminiscent of many athletes who’ve encountered similar challenges. Read on to discover more about these incidents.
Paddy began his MMA journey at age 15
Paddy Pimblett’s entry into MMA started in September 2009 when he watched Vitor Belfort’s knockout victory over Rick Franklin at UFC 103. “I watched Belfort vs. Franklin live, and I remember going for a run at 6 AM after,” he shared during a 2021 appearance on “Anything Goes With James English.” This event sparked a passion for martial arts within him.
The following year, Pimblett joined Next Generation MMA gym and committed to training four times a week. Initially, he faced struggles, particularly in striking classes. “I got beaten up by Milly, a Brazilian woman, on my first day,” he recalled. Nevertheless, his perseverance quickly turned his training experience around, leading him to compete officially at age 16. He won his debut fight, cementing his decision to pursue a path in MMA. “When they raised my hand in victory, it was like, ‘Yes, I’m in this for life,'” he described to GQ.
A surprise debut at 17
Paddy Pimblett made a notable entry into the professional MMA scene in October 2012, competing in the bantamweight division against Nathan Thompson. His impressive debut resulted in a first-round technical knockout, setting the tone for his future success. Later that same year, he secured another victory against Dougie Scott by submission in their match.
Pimblett’s highlight came in June 2013 when he shocked audiences by defeating Jack Drabble in just 21 seconds via knockout. His burgeoning reputation quickly led him to join Cage Warriors, a prominent MMA organization in London, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Champion of Cage Warriors featherweight division
Paddy Pimblett began his journey with Cage Warriors by facing Florian Calin in July 2013 after signing his contract with the organization. At that point, he had only participated in three fights. Pimblett viewed this opportunity as a significant advancement in his career, stating in a pre-match interview, “It’s a step up with better opponents, and I’m eager to fight him. I want my first Cage Warriors win and will work my way up.” His determination paid off with a unanimous decision victory over Calin, kickstarting his impressive journey with Cage Warriors.
By September 2016, within three years of his debut, Pimblett secured the Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship after defeating Johnny Franchey. Following his championship win, he defended his title against Julian Erosa two months later. Despite winning the bout, many fans argued that Erosa deserved the victory instead. “Julian Erosa beat Paddy Pimblett … I don’t care what the judges said that night,” commented one disappointed fan on X, previously known as Twitter.
Paddy eventually moved up to lightweight
In February 2017, Cage Warriors announced on Facebook that Pimblett would defend his featherweight title against Nad Narimani, an English MMA contender. He expressed confidence in the fight but acknowledged respect for Narimani, stating, “I respect Nad; however, it won’t be pleasant for him at the end.” Unfortunately for Pimblett, Narimani outperformed him, taking the championship.
This defeat significantly affected Pimblett’s mental health. He shared, “I fell into a deep depression after that fight, crying daily for three months and contemplating suicide,” during a November 2022 appearance on “Pub Talk,” as reported by The Mirror. Furthermore, he underwent hand surgery to treat an injury sustained during the match.
Following this setback, Pimblett transitioned to the lightweight division and marked his comeback with a win over Alexis Savvidis in February 2018. However, his bid for the vacant Cage Warriors lightweight title in September against Soren Bak ended in disappointment as he lost by unanimous decision. This loss left him feeling downcast and defeated. “You feel like the biggest failure, it’s hard to face the world,” he confessed in an interview on the “Tony Bellew is Angry” podcast.
Pimblett joined the UFC in 2021, branding it ‘the signing of the decade’
In March 2021, it was announced that Paddy Pimblett had signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He expressed his excitement, stating, “It was only a matter of time, and now it’s official,” referring to himself as the “biggest signing of the decade,” according to Business Insider. Six months later, he debuted in the UFC against Brazilian fighter Luigi Vendramini, where he made a significant impact with a knockout win in the first round. “I’m a scouser. We don’t get knocked out. I’m here for success; people will be calling me out now,” he stated confidently in his post-fight interview with MMA Fighting. That night, he also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.
Pimblett continued his success in March 2022 when he tapped out Mexican fighter Rodrigo Vargas in the first round, also receiving a Performance of the Night bonus. He remarked on the event, stating, “It wasn’t perfect, but did you not enjoy it? This arena isn’t big enough for us; let’s fill Anfield next time!”
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Paddy Pimblett’s Ambitions Post-Win
Paddy Pimblett celebrated his notable victory and shared his aspirations to compete on larger platforms. He solidified his reputation as a rising UFC star in July 2022 by winning his third straight fight against Jordan Leavitt, earning another Performance of the Night accolade.
Paddy Pimblett’s Dispute with MMA Journalist Ariel Helwani
The year 2022 saw Paddy Pimblett at the center of controversy after a public disagreement with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani. The conflict arose when Pimblett asked for payment to appear on Helwani’s podcast, “MMA Hour.” He justified his request by pointing out that Helwani had urged him to cancel another paid appearance. Pimblett shared Helwani’s reaction, describing it as an outburst that led to further comments about him during Helwani’s show.
In a response on his own podcast, “Chattin Pony with Paddy The Baddy,” Pimblett accused Helwani of exploiting notable fighters to enhance his podcast’s popularity. Dana White, UFC’s president, also criticized Helwani, referring to him unfavorably. In contrast, Helwani countered Pimblett’s claims by releasing evidence showing it was Pimblett who initiated the podcast booking.
This feud seemed to tarnish Pimblett’s previously loyal following, with some fans expressing their disappointment in him, calling him out for his behavior throughout the disagreement.
Paddy Pimblett’s Contentious Victory Over Jared Gordon
In October 2022, UFC confirmed that Pimblett would fight American fighter Jared Gordon. The bout took place in December at UFC 282, where youths engaged in a competitive exchange. Despite Pimblett’s strong start, the judges ultimately ruled in his favor, declaring him the winner. However, many fans deemed this decision questionable, believing that Gordon, who seemed to have performed better, deserved the victory. This led to public outcry and criticism of the judges’ scoring.
Gordon expressed his disappointment over the outcome, calling it a heartbreaking experience and one of the worst decisions in UFC history, highlighting the ongoing debate about the fight’s fairness.
Paddy Pimblett’s Troubling Joe Rogan Interview
After his match with Gordon, Pimblett participated in an interview with Joe Rogan that turned tense. When Rogan remarked on how close the fight appeared, Pimblett vehemently disagreed, asserting that he had won decisively. In later comments, he expressed his annoyance with Rogan and others for suggesting the fight was competitive, finding it hard to comprehend their viewpoints.
Despite the interview’s seemingly minor impact at the moment, Pimblett faced backlash from fans who labeled him as arrogant and undeserving of his win. This incident, while brief, significantly influenced how he was perceived in the sport, emphasizing the importance of public relations for athletes.
