Paddy Pimblett
Vitals
The Read
Paddy Pimblett is the most bankable star British MMA has produced in a decade — a Liverpool submission specialist turned ground-and-pound finisher who rode a nine-fight UFC win streak to an interim-title shot. Ten of his 23 wins are submissions, but the biggest, a 2025 stoppage of Michael Chandler, came from elbows in mount.
The unbeaten aura ended in January 2026, when Justin Gaethje dropped him repeatedly and out-pointed him over five rounds for the interim lightweight title — Pimblett's first UFC loss. He returns against Benoît Saint Denis needing to show the gap to the elite was one bad night, not a ceiling.
Next Fight
Record
Tap any fight for the breakdown.
Loss
vs Justin GaethjeDecision (unanimous) · R5
UFC 324
24 Jan 2026
24 Jan 2026
Pimblett's first UFC loss, in an interim lightweight title fight hailed as a Fight-of-the-Year contender. Gaethje knocked him down multiple times and out-landed him over 25 minutes; Pimblett rallied late and briefly hurt Gaethje but dropped the cards 49-46, 49-46, 48-47.
Key moments
- Gaethje scored multiple knockdowns across the fight.
- Pimblett surged back and briefly hurt Gaethje late.
- Went the full five rounds for the first time.
- Loss set up a Gaethje–Topuria title unification.
Win
vs Michael ChandlerTKO (elbows & punches) · R3 3:07
UFC 314
12 Apr 2025
12 Apr 2025
Career-best win and his first over a ranked name. A round-three knee opened a cut, Pimblett took Chandler down and advanced to mount, then finished with elbows and punches — extending his UFC streak to nine.
Key moments
- A round-three knee opened a cut on Chandler.
- Takedown straight into mount.
- Sustained ground-and-pound elbows from the top.
- Referee stoppage at 3:07.
Win
vs Bobby GreenTechnical Submission (triangle choke) · R1 3:22
UFC 304
27 Jul 2024
27 Jul 2024
In front of a home crowd in Manchester, Pimblett caught Green in a triangle choke just past three minutes of round one and squeezed until Green went unconscious, forcing the referee stoppage.
Key moments
- Early leg kicks set the range.
- Brief guillotine threat in a scramble.
- Transitioned to a fight-ending triangle choke.
- Green went out cold; referee waved it off.
Win
vs Tony FergusonDecision (unanimous) · R3
UFC 296
16 Dec 2023
16 Dec 2023
Pimblett out-pointed a faded Tony Ferguson over three rounds for 30-27 cards across the board — a workmanlike decision rather than the finish many expected.
Key moments
- Controlled the striking exchanges.
- Stretches of grappling control.
- A late flurry to close.
- Clean 30-27 on all three cards.
Win
vs Jared GordonDecision (unanimous) · R3
UFC 282
10 Dec 2022
10 Dec 2022
A widely disputed decision: all three judges scored it 29-28 for Pimblett despite Gordon's takedowns and control time, and the crowd booed the read. Most media outlets scored it for Gordon.
Key moments
- Gordon landed the takedowns and control time.
- Pimblett edged the significant strikes.
- The arena booed the decision.
- Near-unanimous media dissent from the cards.