Paddy Pimblett Bio
Patrick Mark Pimblett, widely known by the nickname “The Baddy,” is an English professional mixed martial artist born on 3 January 1995 in Liverpool, England. A professional competitor since 2012, he is a former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion and currently fights in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Pimblett has built a reputation as one of the most popular British fighters of his generation, known for his aggressive grappling, confident personality, and loyal fan base.
Trained out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool, Pimblett holds a second-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He is ranked inside the UFC lightweight top ten and continues to compete at the highest level of the sport. Beyond the cage, he runs a popular YouTube channel, sponsorships with major brands, and a charitable foundation focused on mental health.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Mark Pimblett was born on 3 January 1995 and raised in Huyton, Merseyside, part of the Liverpool metropolitan area. He attended St Margaret Mary’s Primary School and later Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School. Growing up in a proud footballing city, Pimblett developed an early love for Liverpool Football Club, and he has since spoken about his dream of one day fighting at Anfield.
Pimblett was first inspired to pursue mixed martial arts after watching the light heavyweight clash between Rich Franklin and Vitor Belfort at UFC 103. Captivated by the sport, he began training at the age of 15 at Next Generation MMA, a gym that would become his lifelong team. It was there, under the guidance of coach Paul Rimmer, that he decided to make fighting his career and committed himself to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, eventually earning a second-degree black belt in the discipline.
Path to MMA
Pimblett made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2012 at the age of 17, competing initially at bantamweight. He built an unblemished 3–0 record in his first year as a professional, which quickly attracted the attention of Cage Warriors, one of Europe’s leading MMA promotions. His decision to sign with Cage Warriors marked his transition from regional prospect to internationally recognized talent.
Within Cage Warriors, Pimblett moved up to featherweight in 2014 and continued his rapid rise. In 2016, he captured the Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship by defeating Johnny Frachey at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, a defining moment that established him as a star of the European MMA scene. He defended the title once, controversially, against Julian Erosa, before eventually losing the belt to Nad Narimani in April 2017.
Paddy Pimblett Career
Early Career (2012–2017)
Across his early career, Pimblett competed primarily in the United Kingdom, fighting for promotions such as Cage Warriors and building a reputation for exciting submissions and charismatic post-fight interviews. He moved through the bantamweight and featherweight divisions, refining his grappling-heavy style at Next Generation MMA Liverpool and developing into a complete mixed martial artist.
After dropping to lightweight, Pimblett challenged Søren Bak for the Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship, falling short by unanimous decision. He rebounded with two more wins inside the organization before declining two earlier UFC offers in pursuit of better financial terms. When the right deal materialized, he signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and prepared to debut on the sport’s biggest stage.
UFC Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Paddy Pimblett made his long-awaited UFC debut on 4 September 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191 against Luigi Vendramini. He produced a stunning first-round knockout, earning a Performance of the Night bonus in his very first appearance. The finish immediately announced him as a fan favorite and triggered a wave of media attention in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
In October 2021, Pimblett signed a seven-figure endorsement deal with Barstool Sports, underscoring his crossover appeal. He followed his debut with a first-round submission of Rodrigo Vargas at UFC Fight Night 204, earning another Performance of the Night award, and then submitted Jordan Leavitt via rear-naked choke at UFC Fight Night 208. He closed 2022 with a controversial unanimous decision win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282, a bout that 23 of 24 media outlets scored in Gordon’s favor.
Next Generation MMA Liverpool Era (2023–Present)
Continuing his ascent, Pimblett faced former interim champion Tony Ferguson on 16 December 2023 at UFC 296, winning a clear unanimous decision. The fight marked a stylistic shift, as Pimblett had switched from his trademark floppy hair to a braided hairstyle in order to avoid visual misinterpretation of damage taken during bouts.
On 27 July 2024 at UFC 304, Pimblett submitted King Green with a first-round triangle choke, earning a $200,000 Performance of the Night bonus. He then stepped into the biggest fight of his career on 12 April 2025 at UFC 314, defeating former Bellator and UFC title challenger Michael Chandler by third-round technical knockout. The performance cemented Pimblett’s status as a top-tier lightweight and a major pay-per-view attraction.
Style and Strengths
Pimblett is best known for his elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu, sharp submission instincts, and composed finishing ability from top position. Trained by Paul Rimmer at Next Generation MMA Liverpool, he blends grappling depth with improving striking, using distance management and opportunistic clinch work to set up his finishes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signature moments include his UFC debut knockout of Luigi Vendramini, his 2024 submission of King Green, and his 2025 victory over Michael Chandler. He is a multi-time Performance of the Night bonus winner and has been ranked inside the UFC lightweight top ten.
Paddy Pimblett Career Wins
Across his professional career, Paddy Pimblett has compiled 23 wins against 3 losses in 26 professional bouts. His finishes include 7 by knockout or technical knockout and 1 by submission, with the remainder coming by decision, demonstrating a versatile finishing skill set developed at Next Generation MMA Liverpool.
UFC Highlights
Since joining the UFC in 2021, Pimblett has strung together consecutive Performance of the Night bonuses, beginning with his UFC debut knockout of Luigi Vendramini. He added submission wins over Rodrigo Vargas, Jordan Leavitt, and King Green, and decision wins over Jared Gordon, Tony Ferguson, and Michael Chandler. His only UFC loss to date came by unanimous decision against Justin Gaethje for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship on 24 January 2026.
Other Wins and Performances
Before the UFC, Pimblett captured the Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship in 2016, defended it once, and challenged for the Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship. His regional success in the United Kingdom paved the way for his transition to the world’s largest MMA promotion.
Paddy Pimblett Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Pimblett grew up in a tight-knit Liverpool household in Huyton, Merseyside, where his passion for combat sports was nurtured from a young age. He is a close friend of fellow mixed martial artist Molly McCann, with whom he shares a long training history at Next Generation MMA Liverpool.
Personal Life
Paddy Pimblett married his longtime girlfriend, Laura Gregory, on 28 May 2023 at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire. In November 2023, the couple announced they were expecting twin daughters, who were born in 2024. Outside of fighting, Pimblett is a supporter of Liverpool Football Club, describes himself as a socialist, and launched The Baddy Foundation in December 2022 to support men’s mental health and tackle child food insecurity.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign marked a defining chapter in Paddy Pimblett’s career. Headlining UFC 304 in July 2024 carried momentum into the new year, with Pimblett ranked among the top lightweights in the world. His April 2025 clash with Michael Chandler at UFC 314 served as the centerpiece of his season, ending in a third-round technical knockout that established him as a genuine title contender.
Throughout 2025, Pimblett remained a staple of major UFC cards, with his grappling-heavy style and high-finish rate making him one of the promotion’s most watchable athletes. His partnership with Barstool Sports and his growing YouTube channel further amplified his profile across both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Looking beyond 2025, Pimblett is scheduled to face Benoît Saint Denis on 11 July 2026 at UFC 329, with eyes still set on a future shot at undisputed UFC lightweight gold. His combination of submission craft, charisma, and consistency inside the cage suggests his best years in mixed martial arts may still be ahead of him.
