Can Paddy Pimblett survive the BSD storm?

Imagine a guy with a Beatles haircut who puts away four giant pizzas after weigh-ins, but can still put your lights out with a rear-naked choke in thirty seconds flat. Paddy Pimblett is a walking paradox: a massive media phenomenon who constantly oscillates between grappling genius and defensive chaos. But his meteoric rise is now taking him to the top of the division, and the French "God of War," Benoît Saint-Denis, is waiting for him for a high-voltage clash that promises fireworks.

🥊 Quick Stats

Name: Paddy Pimblett
Record: 22-3-0
Signature trait: Retro bowl cut and legendary weight fluctuations (+20 kg between fights).

The High-Five Block

Last 5 results:

• ❌ Justin Gaethje — Unanimous decision UFC 324
• ✅ Michael Chandler — KO/TKO (R3) UFC 314
• ✅ King Green — Submission (R1) UFC 304
• ✅ Tony Ferguson — Unanimous decision UFC 296
• ✅ Jared Gordon — Unanimous decision UFC 282

The Origin Story

Born in Liverpool, Paddy didn't wait for his beard to grow to start throwing hands. At 15, he discovered the UFC and went all-in, locking himself away at Next Generation MMA. No transition through collegiate wrestling or traditional boxing: the kid was built directly in the modern MMA mold. As a former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, he learned to survive in the gritty British arenas before bringing his opportunistic jiu-jitsu style to the bright lights of Las Vegas. His current style stems from that: an ultra-low guard inherited from his youthful confidence and an elite ground game that punishes the slightest opponent error.

From Scouser hype to the Top 5 gates

Arriving in the UFC in 2021, "The Baddy" immediately hit the media jackpot. His fallen-angel look and thick Liverpool accent won over Dana White in a heartbeat. But behind the promotional circus, there's a real fighter. After disputed wins against Jared Gordon and Tony Ferguson, his lightning-fast submission win against King Green in the first round of UFC 304 proved he wasn't just a marketing product. By taking out a top-15 ranked fighter in such spectacular fashion, Paddy showed he has the level to compete with the elite. Now ranked, the Englishman must prove that his unorthodox style and sometimes-too-low guard can withstand the true monsters of the division.

Useless Trivia

• The yo-yo effect: He can gain up to 20 kilos in a few weeks after a fight, gorging on pizzas and burgers before putting himself through brutal weight cuts.
• A huge heart: In 2022, after a win in London, he delivered a poignant speech on male suicide and mental health following the death of a close friend, touching millions of people.
• Inspired by UFC 101: It was watching Anderson Silva destroy Forrest Griffin that made him decide, the very next morning, to step into an MMA gym.

The MMX Take

For your picks, this fight against Benoît Saint-Denis is a total toss-up. Paddy is a pure Submission Artist (71.4% finish rate) capable of ending a fight on the ground in the blink of an eye. The problem? His defensive stats are scary. With only 42.7% striking defense and a disastrous 44.4% takedown defense, he leaves himself wide open on the feet (3.9 significant strikes absorbed per minute). Facing the suffocating pressure and physical power of BSD, Paddy will have to be extremely careful. His meager takedown accuracy (21.1%) means he'll struggle to take the Frenchman down conventionally. He'll need to be crafty, use the clinch, or try to pull guard. If he can't slow the pace early on, the French lightning might just strike his porous guard. An ultra-risky pick, but the odds for a surprise submission from the Englishman remain tempting for bold players.

One thing is certain: whether he ends up crowned or lights-out on the canvas, the Scouser will never leave us indifferent. Do you think he'll win his next fight? Come make your picks and challenge your mates on MMX.

📋 On the same card: Check out all the profiles for UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2