5 championship caliber English prospects to watch out for in the UFC

#4. Paddy Pimblett – UFC lightweight

Paddy Pimblett was already one of the most popular fighters in England before he joined the UFC. The former Cage Warriors featherweight titleholder had turned down the America-based promotion twice before in his career, revealing that he wasn’t ready to move to the world's premier MMA organization at such a young age.

The 27-year-old Liverpool native finally signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2021. He squared off against Luigi Vendramini at UFC Fight Night 191 in his promotional debut. Pimblett, despite being caught numerous times early on in the fight, knocked out Vendramini in the very first round. ‘The Baddy’ picked up a 'Performance of the Night' bonus for his efforts.

In his second octagon outing, Paddy Pimblett took on Rodrigo Vargas at the O2 Arena in London. His walkout blew the roof off the iconic venue and 'The Baddy' had those in attendance eating out of the palm of his hand.

Pimblett put on a sensational performance in front of a raucous English crowd as he secured a first-round submission victory.

While the hype surrounding Paddy Pimblett is undoubtedly high, his championship potential is up for debate. He's a slick grappler with heavy hands, but still needs to work on his striking defense if he is to emerge victorious when he locks horns with the elite fighters at 155 pounds.

With his funky hairstyle and outspoken nature, Pimblett is an incredibly marketable fighter. Having already headlined shows and sold-out venues in the UK, the UFC is certainly aware that they have a new star on their hands.

At 27, Pimblett has a long way to go in his career. If he continues to improve over the next few years, we could have an incredibly entertaining world champion on our hands. For now though, 'The Baddy' will be looking to continue growing his stock. The UFC knows how to slow-play the careers of fighters who they believe have superstar potential. It remains to be seen how things will pan out for the Liverpool native.

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#3. Arnold Allen – UFC featherweight

Arnold Allen has emerged as an ominous presence in the featherweight division in recent years. Although the understated Englishman has struggled with injuries and inactivity, his potential and skills are undeniable.

Allen is currently riding an astonishing 11-fight win streak in his pro MMA career and is unbeaten in the UFC. Unfortunately for the Brit, his tendency to fight just once a year has been detrimental to his popularity among casual fans. Nevertheless, hardcore fans are well aware that 'Almighty' is a real threat to the featherweight throne and is likely just a couple of wins away from a shot at gold.

In his most recent outing, Allen made a resounding statement in the co-main event of UFC London, where he put away perennial lightweight contender Dan Hooker in the very first round.

Arnold Allen's all-round game makes him a challenging stylistic matchup for any fighter at 145 pounds. Training with the likes of Georges St-Pierre, one of the greatest and most well-rounded mixed martial artists of all time, has undoubtedly rubbed off on 'Almighty'. Still just 28, Allen has all the tools to make it all the way to the top and stay there.

Following his win over Hooker, Allen called out Calvin Kattar. Eyeing a spot in the top five of the featherweight rankings, the Ipswich native will be looking to enter the upper echelons at 145 pounds later this year. Expect him to potentially feature in a five-round contest next time around as he continues to rise up the ranks.