Paddy Pimblett revealed his past anxieties about how his partying habits in Liverpool after his initial title win could have jeopardized his prospects in professional fighting.
At just 21, Pimblett secured the Cage Warriors championship and quickly immersed himself in the celebrity scene of Liverpool. He frequently partied with friends at nightclubs, living a lifestyle more befitting of a much larger celebrity than he was at that stage.
Shortly after a controversial victory over Julian Erosa in his first title defense, the Liverpool native lost his title to Nad Narimani. Following another defeat to Soren Bak, he worried that even if he reached the UFC, he might only achieve journeyman status. However, he has since reversed this trajectory and is now approaching a top ten ranking.
Paddy Pimblett Admits Fear of Becoming a UFC Journeyman
Paddy Pimblett is not the only athlete in his family with such experiences; his uncle, Frank, was a promising soccer talent whose attitude and drinking habits prevented him from reaching the highest levels of the sport. `Paddy the Baddy` feared he was heading down a similar path after winning the Cage Warriors title, but has since changed course.
“His drinking, partying, and womanizing meant he could have been the best footballer of his generation, if not for those issues,” Pimblett reflected on his uncle in an interview.
“And I almost followed the same pattern when I was 21, after winning that world title and thinking I was invincible.
“I nearly went down the exact same road, constantly partying and acting foolishly. I`m grateful for my time in Cage Warriors, it straightened me out because I could have ended up like my uncle Frank. He ended up in Australia, becoming a legend for a team like Brisbane, when he was far too skilled for that league.”
“No manager in England would touch him because of his poor attitude… He had the potential to be England`s greatest footballer, but his off-field behavior derailed his career.”
“That could genuinely have been my story, which is why I`m now glad I declined the first two UFC offers when I was younger. Because I now understand even more that the fame in UFC is ten times greater than in Cage Warriors, and winning the Cage Warriors title already slightly inflated my ego.”
“People started asking for photos with me in Liverpool and Manchester. If I had joined the UFC back then, I’m sure I would have ended up with a 3-6 record and been cut. The fact that I’ve steadily built my career has been incredibly beneficial.”
Paddy Pimblett Now Aiming for UFC Top Ten Against Michael Chandler
Upon joining the UFC, Pimblett quickly began to climb the ranks, demonstrating improvement with each fight. Now a major star in the promotion, a victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 314 could propel him into serious contention for the top spots in his division.
He is set to face the former Bellator champion in a five-round co-main event, which could potentially elevate him to number seven in the division, or even higher. He is currently ranked number 12 following an impressive submission win over King Green at UFC 304 last summer.
Pimblett declined UFC offers twice during his Cage Warriors career but finally signed in 2021, immediately making a significant impact in the United States.
Rupert Hartwell