The Paddy Pimblett next fight news should arrive early in 2024 as “The Baddy” looks to extend his winning streak to start his UFC career. We take a look at three likely opponent options and recap his dominant win over lightweight legend Tony Ferguson at UFC 296.
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Who will Paddy Pimblett next fight be against?
At UFC 296 Pimblett extended his UFC win streak to six straight and earned a landmark victory by beating former lightweight champion Tony Ferguson. After earning the biggest victory of his career, he is likely to face an opponent in or around the top 15 next.
That is why matchups with Michael Johnson, Matt Frevola, and Marc Diakiese make a lot of sense for his return to the Octagon in 2024.
- The Menace: Few fighters on the UFC roster are more experienced than Michael Johnson. If the company wanted to place their English star in another bout that could deliver fireworks but still be winnable, the veteran of “The Ultimate Fighter” would be a sensible option.
- Steamrolla: Frevola has called for a matchup with Pimblett for months. If the UFC wants to continue Pimblett’s slow burn development into the next big UK star, a booking against Frevola is fitting.
- Bonecrusher: Diakiese has been a stalwart of the lightweight division for the last eight years. If the company is not ready to give “The Baddy” a ranked opponent, the talented striker and developing grappler would be a good test.
Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson recap
While his detractors doubted he could beat Tony Ferguson, Pimblett showed that he is a legitimate top 20 lightweight in a dominant performance against the former UFC titlist.
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What happened: “The Baddy” has some flaws in his striking game, but he still uses it effectively in his bouts and did so again at UFC 296. Despite Ferguson having a dangerous and unpredictable striking approach, Pimblett was able to knock his foe down during the fight and win most of the battle on the feet en route to a decisive victory.
The fallout: With Ferguson in the midst of a major losing streak, Pimblett needed a definitive victory. While he did not get the finish, he dominated at times during their bout. Proving he is worthy of another featured bout and notable opponent in his Octagon return in 2024.
The roadmap: It would be surprising if “The Baddy” did not get a top 15-level opponent like Bobby Green in his next fight. After six straight wins, it is probably time for him to headline his first UFC Fight Night card.
What makes Paddy Pimblett so popular?
A Legitimate Star on the Rise: The hype surrounding Pimblett isn’t smoke and mirrors. He is a serious MMA talent and stamped his place as the most popular competitor to ever compete in the UK’s best cage fighting organization, Cage Warriors.
- Paddy Pimblett record: 21-3 (6 knockouts, 8 submissions)
- Paddy Pimblett height: 5-foot-10
- Paddy Pimblett last fight: Unanimous decision win over Tony Ferguson
- Paddy Pimblett weight class: Lightweight
- Has Paddy Pimblett lost a fight? He has lost twice during his time fighting on the English fight circuit. Pimblett suffered a decision loss to Nad Narimani in 2017, then another to Soren Bak the following year.
- Pimblett had a long tenure in Cage Warriors. Competing for the promotion on 14 occasions and earning an 11-3 record.
- He gained a reputation as Cage Warriors’ most marketable star after headlining three events for the promotion.
- Pimblett won the organization’s featherweight title in 2016, and almost matched Cage Warriors alum McGregor when he came up short in a 2018 bid to be a two-division champion.
The Baddy Boy: Part of Pimblett’s fanfare is the unabashed confidence he has in himself. It’s a reason why many observers of the sport have compared him to other brash UK MMA greats, and former UFC champions Conor McGregor and Michael Bisping.
- Pimblett is a fascinating talent because his Beatles-style mop-top haircut makes him look like a well-mannered individual. But then he’ll unleash a foul-mouthed torrent of trash talk that appeals to fans of bold combat athletes like Nate Diaz and Jake Paul.
- The money-making potential for “The Baddy” brand is so undeniable that popular sports site Barstool Sports gave him a “seven-figure deal” in 2021 to be a brand ambassador and content creator. An unheard-of feat for a fighter with only one UFC fight under their belt.
- Pimblett has an established history of gaining a serious amount of weight in between fights as he dives into his love of sugar-filled or fatty foods when he is not in fight camp. However, he has yet to have any issues when it comes to time to weigh in before his UFC bouts.
- Following his win over Jordan Leavitt, the Englishman touched many fans with the revelation of a friend’s death by suicide before the fight. He then called for men to be more willing to express their emotions during tough times because it could have saved his friend’s life.
- Pimblett’s enemies list extended into the world of professional wrestling when he and AEW World Champion MJF traded barbs and fight threats on Twitter in November.
Paddy Pimblett’s net worth
The measure of a fighter’s success is in the cash they stack up from a career of professional fisticuffs. Over his short career, Pimblett has amassed an estimated net worth of between $1 and $5 million.
What is Paddy Pimblett UFC rank?
After five straight wins to start his UFC career, Paddy Pimblett has yet to land an official ranking in the company’s top 15 at lightweight. However, there is a good chance another victory in his next fight will push him into the rankings.
Has Paddy Pimblett lost?
Yes, Pimblett has lost fights. While he is unbeaten so far in the UFC, his three losses occurred during his tenure with English MMA promotion Cage Warriors.
Did Paddy Pimblett KO Tony Ferguson?
While “The Baddy” did score a big win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296, it was by unanimous decision, not by knockout.