Paddy Pimblett is one of the top 15 lightweights in the world after landing yet another submission victory in Manchester.
The fan favourite from Liverpool choked King Green completely unconscious in front of a jam-packed crowd at the new arena just down the road from his hometown. Football legend Wayne Rooney was one of the 23,500 that filed into the venue for UFC 304, expressly noting that he was there to see Pimblett.
Supporters had to stay up until almost 5am local time to catch ‘The Baddy’ in his first UK fight in over two years. But they were woken up as the former Bobby Green was sent to sleep, landing the Brit into the UFC’s top 15.
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Paddy Pimblett chokes King Green unconscious to continue UFC winning streak
Both Paddy Pimblett and King Green were given the main event treatment as they entered the octagon on Saturday night, making lengthy walks to the octagon. And the crowd rewarded the UFC for that decision, blasting the roof off as the Brit made his way to the cage.
Once in the octagon, the pair were tentative with their striking early doors, with Pimblett landing the better shots in a surprising stand up exchange. Then, perhaps one of the most strange moments in the Brit’s career happened as career-striker Green shot in for a takedown.
From there, Pimblett quickly locked in a guillotine, which almost had Green out early. But when the American got out, it was quickly moved into a triangle, which the Liverpool native finished with an armbar to send his rival to sleep.
A massive reception followed as Pimblett led the crowd in chants of ‘oh Paddy the Baddy’. He has now almost certainly landed a spot as one of the top 15 UFC lightweights after six wins on the bounce in the promotion.
Paddy Pimblett calls out Renato Moicano in explosive post-fight interview
Immediately after the fight, Pimblett was given the chance to call his shot during an interview in the octagon with Daniel Cormier. And he made the choice everybody was expecting as he re-ignited his interest in facing Renato Moicano.
“I have a name that everybody wants me to fight,” he said. “Renato Moicano, hopefully he gets through BSD [Benoit St-Denis] and we can settle before the end of the year… I’ve said it beforehand and I’ll say it again, the king of the f***ing North is here!”
Pimblett also sent a message to his detractors, telling them: “Statement made b*****s! I’m the first person to submit [King Green] in the UFC, lad. That’s saying something. That’s a statement to all you haters out there.
“You said I’d never get a ranking, what now? Are they going to move the goalposts again and say ‘oh Bobby was a has-been, he’s finished’. Well I’ve got a f***ing ranking next to my name now so suck this!”
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