Paddy Pimblett has made quite the impact since joining the UFC in 2021, and he’s now gearing up for the biggest fight of his career.
The unbeaten Scouser is set to face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight belt at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on January 24, a bout that has put the Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje odds firmly under the spotlight.
With a perfect 7-0 record inside the Octagon, this is Pimblett’s chance to cap his rapid rise with championship gold.
While his UFC résumé may be relatively short, it is already impressive, boasting several standout performances. Here’s a look back at some of the most significant victories that have shaped ‘Paddy The Baddy’s’ run to the top.
Luigi Vendramini – KO (punches)
Pimblett wasted no time announcing himself on the UFC stage. Making his promotional debut on the undercard of Brunson vs Till in September 2021, the Liverpool native delivered a stunning first-round knockout of Luigi Vendramini in Las Vegas.
A sharp combination of punches put Vendramini away inside the opening round, lighting up the arena and earning Pimblett a Performance of the Night bonus. It was the perfect start to life in the UFC and immediately marked him out as a fighter to watch.
Rodrigo Vargas – Submission (rear-naked choke)
Pimblett’s second UFC appearance took place on home soil, as he featured on the undercard of Volkov vs Aspinall at London’s O2 Arena. Feeding off the electric crowd, ‘Paddy The Baddy’ produced another standout display.
After controlling much of the fight, Pimblett locked in a rear-naked choke to force Rodrigo Vargas to tap, securing yet another Performance of the Night award. It was a result that underlined his dangerous submission game and cemented his growing popularity.
Just months later, he repeated the trick against Jordan Leavitt at the same venue, again earning a bonus.
Tony Ferguson – Unanimous decision
Following a year on the sidelines due to ankle surgery, Pimblett returned at UFC 296 to face one of the biggest names in lightweight history—Tony Ferguson.
Fighting at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pimblett walked into a hostile atmosphere, with much of the crowd firmly behind Ferguson. Unfazed, the Liverpudlian delivered a disciplined and dominant performance across three rounds, earning a clear unanimous decision.
Following questions raised after a controversial win over Jared Gordon 12 months earlier, this victory served as a statement of intent and maturity.
Michael Chandler – TKO (elbows and punches)
The biggest win of Pimblett’s career to date came in Miami at UFC 314 last April, where he faced former title challenger Michael Chandler.
From the opening exchanges, Pimblett imposed himself on the fight, eventually taking Chandler to the canvas and unleashing a barrage of elbows and punches that forced the referee to intervene.
The TKO victory extended his unbeaten UFC run to seven fights—the second-longest active streak in the lightweight division—and propelled him into the world’s top 10 at 155lbs.
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As Pimblett prepares for his interim title showdown with Gaethje, interest across the UFC bet markets reflects just how far he has come in a short space of time.
With momentum, confidence and the crowd firmly behind him, ‘Paddy The Baddy’ now stands on the brink of UFC stardom—and potentially, championship glory.
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