Paddy Pimblett Bio
Patrick Mark Pimblett, widely known by his ring nickname “The Baddy,” is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born on 3 January 1995 in Liverpool, England, Pimblett has been a professional fighter since 2012 and previously held the Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship. As of 18 November 2025, he is ranked number five in the UFC lightweight rankings, establishing himself as one of the most talked-about British athletes in mixed martial arts.
Training out of Next Generation MMA in Liverpool, Pimblett is recognized for his dynamic ground game, his trademark floppy hair, and his passionate fan following. He holds a second-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has built a reputation for high-energy performances inside the cage. He is married to Laura Gregory, with whom he welcomed twin daughters in 2024, and he continues to balance his growing family with a demanding fight schedule on the global stage.
Early Life and Background
Paddy Pimblett was born on 3 January 1995 and grew up in Huyton, Merseyside, a neighborhood in the Liverpool metropolitan area. He attended St Margaret Mary’s Primary School before continuing his education at Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, where his athletic interests began to take shape. From a young age, Pimblett was drawn to combat sports, and his curiosity turned into a serious pursuit after watching the famous bout between Rich Franklin and Vitor Belfort at UFC 103.
Inspired by that fight, Pimblett began training in mixed martial arts at the age of 15, joining the renowned Next Generation MMA gym in Liverpool. It was there that he developed the grappling foundation that would later define his fighting style. He quickly decided that he wanted to make a living as a professional mixed martial artist, and his commitment to the sport became evident in his early teenage years.
Path to MMA
Pimblett made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2012 at just 17 years old, competing in the bantamweight division. He quickly built an undefeated record at 3-0, which earned him a contract with Cage Warriors, one of Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotions, the following year. This early success signaled his arrival as a promising young talent on the British and European MMA scene.
After moving up to the featherweight division in 2014, Pimblett continued to refine his skills and gain experience. His dedication to training and his natural charisma made him a fan favorite, and he was soon given opportunities to compete for major titles. These formative years in Cage Warriors allowed him to develop the technical and mental tools necessary for a long career in the sport.
Paddy Pimblett Career
Early Career (2012-2015)
During his first few years as a professional, Paddy Pimblett competed primarily in regional promotions across the United Kingdom, compiling a 3-0 record before signing with Cage Warriors in 2013. Competing in the bantamweight and then featherweight divisions, he built a reputation as a young, aggressive fighter with strong submission skills. His time in regional circuits gave him the experience needed to step up to one of Europe’s biggest stages.
These developmental years were essential in shaping Pimblett into a well-rounded mixed martial artist. He trained consistently at Next Generation MMA, where coaches helped him sharpen his Brazilian jiu-jitsu and overall fight strategy. By the time he was ready to challenge for a major title, he had already established himself as one of Britain’s most exciting young prospects.
Cage Warriors Breakthrough (2016-2019)
Pimblett’s breakthrough on the European stage came in 2016 when he claimed the Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship by defeating Johnny Frachey at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. The victory was a defining moment in his career, as it marked his first major title. He successfully defended the title once against Julian Erosa in a controversial unanimous decision, before losing the belt to Nad Narimani in April 2017.
Following the loss, Pimblett moved up to the lightweight division and immediately challenged for the Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship, though he was defeated by unanimous decision by Søren Bak. After recording two more wins in the organization, Pimblett signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He had previously declined two UFC offers in order to secure better financial terms with Cage Warriors, demonstrating his business savvy alongside his fighting talent.
UFC Era (2021-Present)
Paddy Pimblett made his long-awaited UFC debut on 4 September 2021, at UFC Fight Night 191, where he faced Luigi Vendramini. Pimblett delivered a stunning first-round knockout and earned the Performance of the Night bonus, immediately announcing himself to a global audience. In October 2021, he signed a major endorsement deal with Barstool Sports reportedly worth over one million dollars, further boosting his profile.
He continued his ascent with a first-round submission win over Rodrigo Vargas at UFC Fight Night 204 in March 2022, earning his second consecutive Performance of the Night award. He followed that with a second-round rear-naked choke submission of Jordan Leavitt at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall in July 2022, claiming yet another Performance bonus. At UFC 282 in December 2022, Pimblett earned a controversial unanimous decision over Jared Gordon, a result that drew widespread criticism from media and fans, with 23 of 24 media outlets scoring the fight in favor of Gordon.
On 16 December 2023 at UFC 296, Pimblett defeated Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision in a high-profile bout. He then submitted King Green via triangle choke in the first round at UFC 304 on 27 July 2024, a performance that earned him a 200,000 dollar Performance of the Night award. Most recently, on 12 April 2025 at UFC 314, Pimblett scored a third-round technical knockout over former three-time Bellator Lightweight World Champion Michael Chandler, securing another Performance of the Night bonus in the five-round co-main event.
Driving Style and Strengths
Paddy Pimblett is widely regarded as one of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC’s lightweight division, known for his relentless pace, elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and finishing instincts. His second-degree black belt in jiu-jitsu gives him a major advantage on the ground, where he has secured multiple submission victories throughout his career. His unpredictable and aggressive style, combined with his confidence and submission threat, makes him a difficult matchup for any opponent.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Paddy Pimblett’s most memorable career moments are his UFC debut knockout of Luigi Vendramini, his first-round submission of King Green at UFC 304 in his hometown of Manchester, and his high-profile stoppage of former Bellator champion Michael Chandler at UFC 314. He is also scheduled to compete for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship against former interim champion Justin Gaethje on 24 January 2026 at UFC 324, marking the biggest opportunity of his professional career.
Paddy Pimblett Career Wins
Over the course of his professional career, Paddy Pimblett has compiled an impressive record, with verified totals showing 23 wins against 3 losses across 26 professional bouts. Of his 23 victories, 7 have come by knockout, 1 by submission, and 2 by decision, reflecting his finishing-oriented approach inside the cage. The majority of his stoppage wins have come in the UFC, where he has consistently earned Performance of the Night bonuses.
UFC Highlights
Pimblett has earned multiple Performance of the Night bonuses during his UFC tenure, including against Luigi Vendramini, Rodrigo Vargas, Jordan Leavitt, King Green, and Michael Chandler. His UFC debut knockout of Vendramini in September 2021 announced him as a rising star, while his first-round submission of Green at UFC 304 in Manchester was a particularly dramatic moment in front of a passionate British crowd. His third-round technical knockout of Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in April 2025 stands as one of the most significant wins of his career, given Chandler’s pedigree as a former three-time Bellator Lightweight World Champion.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Paddy Pimblett captured the Cage Warriors Featherweight Championship in 2016 and successfully defended it once. He also recorded multiple wins across regional promotions in the United Kingdom during the early years of his professional career, helping him develop into a well-rounded competitor ready for the international stage.
Paddy Pimblett Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Paddy Pimblett’s immediate family remains limited. He is a close friend of fellow mixed martial artist Molly McCann, with whom he shares a long training history at Next Generation MMA in Liverpool. He is also an avid supporter of Liverpool Football Club and has expressed a desire to one day compete at the club’s iconic home stadium, Anfield.
Personal Life
Paddy Pimblett married his longtime girlfriend, Laura Gregory, on 28 May 2023 at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire. In November of the same year, the couple announced that they were expecting twin daughters, who were born in 2024. Pimblett also founded The Baddy Foundation in December 2022, a charity focused on improving men’s mental health and helping children facing food insecurity.
2025 Season Performance
Paddy Pimblett’s 2025 campaign reached its peak on 12 April 2025 at UFC 314, where he delivered a third-round technical knockout victory over former three-time Bellator Lightweight World Champion Michael Chandler in the five-round co-main event. The performance earned him another Performance of the Night bonus and pushed him into the upper tier of the UFC’s lightweight division. Following the win, he climbed to number five in the official UFC lightweight rankings as of 18 November 2025.
The Chandler victory was widely regarded as a statement win, demonstrating Pimblett’s growth as a complete mixed martial artist on the biggest stage. His finishing instincts and conditioning shone through in a high-pressure environment, further establishing his credibility as a championship-level competitor. The win set up the most significant opportunity of his career, as he is now positioned to challenge for major UFC gold.
Looking ahead, Pimblett is scheduled to face former interim champion Justin Gaethje for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship on 24 January 2026 at UFC 324. With momentum on his side and a growing family at home, the Liverpudlian fighter enters 2026 as one of the most compelling storylines in the entire sport of mixed martial arts.