On this day in 2022, Paddy Pimblett further enhanced his reputation in the UFC — both in terms of his fighting ability and personality.
Pimblett currently occupies a spot inside the top 15 of the UFC lightweight division and is calling to be the first challenger in the reign of newly crowned champion Ilia Topuria.
In his most recent fight, Pimblett ran through Michael Chandler at UFC 314, dominating the former three-time Bellator champion en route to a TKO stoppage in the third round.
‘The Baddy’ had to win a number of bouts outside of the rankings before getting his first top-10 opponent, and not many were as memorable as what transpired in London on July 23, 2022.
Paddy Pimblett submitted Jordan Leavitt at UFC London before viral post-fight celebration
After playing his part in a memorable night for the UK fans when the UFC traveled across the pond for the first time post-pandemic, Pimblett returned to The O2 just four months later for his third appearance inside the Octagon.
In March 2022, it took the Scouser under four minutes to submit Kazula Vargas. Against a renowned grappler in Jordan Leavitt, Pimblett had to toil away for a little longer to find the finish, but he made sure it was worth the wait.
Pimblett submitted Leavitt at UFC London with an impressive rear-naked choke midway through round two, extending his undefeated Octagon record and delivering yet another highlight in front of his home fans.
But perhaps the main talking point to come from the fight was Pimblett’s actions after Leavitt tapped. During the back-and-forth with his opponent in the lead-up to their battle, ‘The Baddy’ made a promise.
“I’m gonna teabag him. I’m gonna tea bag him like it’s (Call of Duty) Modern Warfare 2. I’m going to squat as close to his head as I possibly can without the ref shouting at me. I’ll just squat up and down like I’m on Modern Warfare 2.”
And that was a promise that Pimblett did not forget…
Paddy Pimblett saved himself from being on the other side of a humiliating celebration
More than just having the opportunity to perform his own viral celebration, Pimblett may have also prevented a “riot” in England’s capital.
Talk of wild celebrations at The O2 was actually sparked by Leavitt, who vowed to continue his streak of memorable twerking celebrations – and he even teased a new option that he said could have gotten him into hot water.
“I have a few things planned,” Leavitt said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “It all depends on how the fight goes, but we’ve got a few celebration things to pull out of my hat.
“I’m pretty sure if I win the way I want, I might get in trouble for what I’m going to do. But we’re going to see, we’re going to see.
“Luckily I have good head movement so when they start throwing things at me, I’ll be bobbing and weaving and dodging the beer cans. But yeah, I am excited to cause a riot. I think it’ll be a lot of fun,” Leavitt added.