With one of Cage Warriors most popular graduates just hours away from competing for a UFC title, what better time to get hyped for the fight by taking a look back at some of his most notable outings in the Famous Yellow Gloves? From sold-out arenas to TV studios, title defences to career-defining comebacks, there was never a dull moment when Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett was around!
#5: The CW Curtain Call vs Davide Martinez
In a sport like MMA where fans have short memories and there’s always a new ‘next big thing’ waiting around the corner, every fight is your most important fight and time on the shelf is cancer to a career. Nobody knew that more acutely than Paddy Pimblett ahead of what would be his CW swansong in March of 2021.
He’d been on the shelf almost two years following his defeat at the hands of Soren Bak and the subsequent hand surgery and rehab that followed. After a rapid submission of Decky Dalton at CW 113, he’d be out of action another 12 months as the COVID-19 pandemic shredded any semblance of normality in combat sports.
But with the UFC reportedly ready to table an offer should he best Davide Martinez, Paddy knew that if there was ever a time to shine, this was it.
An empty arena didn’t feel like a fitting way for the most beloved CW athlete of all time to lay down the Famous Yellow Gloves, but that was out of his hands. All he could do was fight – and win – in spectacular fashion, and that’s exactly what he did; pitching a shutout and putting the wider MMA world on notice.
#4: The Flying Triangle vs Conrad Hayes
It was the first time that a young Paddy Pimblett would set foot in Liverpool’s Echo Arena, a venue that would become so pivotal to his career.
Little did he know, his actions that night would be one of his biggest steps yet towards superstardom.
His opponent that night, Conrad Hayes, was a scrapper; tough as they come and – like Paddy – a potential star on the rise.
We’d all heard the rumours of ‘The Baddy’s famous flying triangles, but seeing it in action during a professional MMA fight for the first time was a moment few would forget!
#3 The Comeback vs Alexis Savidis
The comeback is bigger than the setback, as the saying goes…but until you’ve experienced it, how could you possibly know? Paddy was just 10 months removed from a heart-wrenching defeat at the hands of Nad Narimani when he faced ‘The Furious Kid’ Alexis Savidis, and there was undoubtedly a lot on his mind.
How would he deal with the mental aspect of returning from a title loss, especially as he’d be competing at the scene of the crime? Would the support still be there outside of the hardened faithful? Would winning alone be enough, if he didn’t make a statement?
Thankfully Paddy was able to put any and all fears to rest in short order. The reception he received as he stepped through the curtain that night confirmed beyond all doubt what he meant to the Liverpool faithful; they weren’t just there for the good times, they’d have his back whatever the weather.
The Echo erupted as he went at it with his fellow grappler, and when the finish came via another trademark flying submission, Paddy had repaid their faith in him in full.
#2: Taking out Juicy J at Unplugged
From the incredibly loud to the incredibly quiet, as Paddy’s next bout and first title defence would take place in the unique confines of the BT Sport Studio, as part of the first ever CW: Unplugged. The exclusive, invite-only event saw just 200 lucky fans given the opportunity to witness the spectacle live and in person. With fighters allocated just ten invites a piece to distribute to friends and family, the 20 or so Scousers who’d made the trip down to support Paddy and teammate Chris Fishgold somehow still managed to sound as loud as Anfield on matchday.
Not that the bout needed any extra atmosphere. Paddy and Julian Erosa tore lumps out of each other for five-nail-biting rounds, with no shortage of twists, turns and drama. All three judges had scored the first three rounds for the defending champion, the forth to Erosa and were split 2-1 in favour of the American in the final frame. With no 10-8’s turned in and the bout scored under the pre-2017 criteria, ‘Juicy-J’s’ late rally wasn’t enough, and the champ retained.
It’s a fight that splits opinion to this day, but at the time it was undoubtedly the biggest win of Pimblett’s career, and proof that he could hang with ‘UFC level’ talent.
It is absolutely not remembered for any post fight incident involving the sudden and unexpected reappearance of an ill-advised pre-fight drink.
#1: Winning the Big One
Whether you were watching on TV from somewhere around the world, or one of the lucky few thousand packed into a sold-out Echo Arena on the night, chances are you’ll never forget the feeling of Paddy winning the big one. From the walkout, to the atmosphere, to the post-fight explosion of joy – all the ingredients were in.
It had been a big night for Team Next Generation: The Liverpool gym had enjoyed a strong showing on the evening’s undercard but as usual, the big pressure had fallen firmly on the shoulders of Paddy and Chris Fishgold, topping the bill in a pair of treacherous title bouts.
A much-improved Baddy showed off another facet to his game that night, clinching the victory and his first world title by virtue of a flying knee and follow up punches. Spooky, given that ahead of his first crack at a UFC title this Saturday night, many are predicting that the King in the North will once again let his striking take centre stage as he looks to end the legendary career of Justin Gaethje.
Catch Paddy’s UFC 324 main event clash against Justin Gaethje live this Sunday morning from 3am (UK) on TNT Sports Box Office
All the action starts with preliminary bouts on UFC Fight Pass!
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