Paddy Pimblett to the UFC is FanSided MMA’s Biggest Signing of the Year
By Steven Irvine
Paddy Pimblett to the UFC is FanSided MMA’s Biggest Signing of the Year.
In 2021, highly touted British MMA prospect Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett finally made the jump across the Atlantic and followed in the footsteps of many of his British predecessors to sign with the UFC.
The former Cage Warrior’s featherweight champ made his move with a statement-defining win in his last appearance for the European MMA outfit, securing a dominant finish by submission and immediately sending a message to UFC president Dana White that the time to sign him up is now. The UFC would go on to announce the signing of Pimblett as a done deal less than two weeks later.
Since the announcement, the hype surrounding ‘The Baddy’s’ debut dominated combat sports headlines across the world with much of the anticipation being shone toward when his Octagon debut would take place. That wait would finally be over when Pimblett made his octagon debut at UFC Vegas 36 as part of the British Invasion of Las Vegas and delivered as promised with a first-round KO win and performance of the night honors for his efforts.
Watch Pimblett’s impressive KO win in his UFC debut below.
https://twitter.com/btsportufc/status/1434251640249401345
Paddy Pimblett turned down the UFC multiple times before finally signing with the promotion
Before the UFC and Pimblett finally came to an agreement this year, there were several attempts by the UFC to sign the Liverpudlian, the first being in September 2016 immediately after securing the Cage Warriors featherweight belt, and the second in 2018 when the UFC made their first appearance in Liverpool at the city’s Echo Arena. Pimblett revealed the first rejection was down to not feeling ready to make the jump at just 21 years of age, and the second was down to receiving a more substantial offer to continue fighting for Cage Warriors at the time.
Whilst these reasons may have halted Pimblett’s journey to the UFC before, the Next Generation fighter has now truly landed, and in spectacular fashion with the whole nation eagerly awaiting to see Pimblett’s next move.
Next. Full list of FanSided MMA’s 2021 Award winners. dark