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Paddy Pimblett had a cult following long before signing with the UFC in 2021. 'The Baddy' enjoyed an illustrious career in Cage Warriors and on the regional European MMA circuits, building his fanbase with every passing fight.
Since joining the world's premier MMA promotion, Pimblett's stock has reached astronomical heights and he's well on his way to superstardom.
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Pimblett's professional career prior to joining the big leagues featured a litany of jaw-dropping finishes. The former Cage Warriors champion earned a reputation for being an unpredictable and wild grappler early on, and as his striking improved, his overall finishing ability compounded as well.
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On that note, here are five stunning Paddy Pimblett finishes outside the UFC.
#5. Paddy Pimblett vs. Davide Martinez
Paddy Pimblett notably turned down as many as three opportunities to join the UFC before 2021. Focused on ensuring that he would be ready for the famed octagon when the time came, he continued to build his stock in Cage Warriors. Moreover, he was set on becoming a two-division champion in the UK-based promotion.
Having already captured the featherweight title, Pimblett was targeting the lightweight strap before finally leaving Cage Warriors. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused complications and he took on Davide Martinez in a 155-pound bout instead, his last fight outside the UFC.
Paddy Pimblett's obvious physical gains were evident right from the get-go. Considering he fought in Cage Warriors as a scrawny young 16-year-old, his progression as an athlete was clear as day. His striking seemed more polished as well, as he peppered Davide Martinez with stinging kicks.
As he's done in most of his fights, Pimblett sprang into action with a blitz, catching Martinez with a high kick, some hooks, and a flying knee. As his opponent covered up, the Liverpudlian took his back and locked in a rear-naked choke to finish off his most flawless performance in Cage Warriors to date.
It took just 97 seconds for Pimblett to dispatch his opponent. He subsequently called for UFC top brass Dana White, Mick Maynard, and Sean Selby to contact his management while shouting at the camera, and was snatched up by the American promotion just weeks later.
#4. Paddy Pimblett vs. Decky Dalton
Paddy Pimblett came up short when he took on Soren Bak for the Cage Warriors lightweight title back in 2018, a fight he entered with some pretty serious injuries. Despite a severely compromised hand injury, Pimblett fought all five rounds and came agonizingly close to finishing Bak on a few occasions.
He eventually walked away with a decision loss and took a two-year hiatus from the sport. Pimblett battled depression and suicide during this time but ultimately came out on the other side a stronger individual. On his return to the cage, 'The Baddy' took on Decky Dalton and was itching to return to winning ways.
Paddy Pimblett's new and improved style was a stark contrast to what we had seen previously from him before his hiatus. His distance management, kicking accuracy and hand-speed were all notably of higher quality and Decky Dalton had no answer right from the opening bell.
Pimblett was repeatedly having success with his stabbing jabs and kicks, one of which forced Dalton off balance and he slipped to the mat. Almost as soon as he hit the canvas, Pimblett clamped onto his back, and from there, it was only a matter of time.
'The Baddy' found a rear-naked choke just under three minutes into the bout, returning to the win column in dominant fashion.
#3. Paddy Pimblett vs. Conrad Hayes
Back in 2014, when Paddy Pimblett was competing in Cage Warriors' bantamweight division, he was known for his lethal submission threat. He notably pulled off a sensational flying triangle in just his second professional fight and managed to do it again in his seventh bout.
Paddy Pimblett boasted a 5-1 record going into his bout with Conrad Hayes eight years ago. This was seen as an evenly-matched fight at the time, as Hayes was also known for his grappling. Both fighters had success in the opening minutes, with Pimblett landing a takedown and Hayes rallying for a reversal.
Hayes was seemingly in control and appeared to be the physically stronger fighter early on. As he held Pimblett against the fence, he appeared to be out of danger and controlling the pace of the fight. Out of nowhere, 'The Baddy' threw his legs up and latched onto a triangle choke, landing vicious elbows on his counterpart.
Pimblett's squeeze eventually proved to be too much for Hayes, who tapped out at 3:17 of the first round.
#2. Paddy Pimblett vs. Johnny Frachey
After starting his career as a bantamweight, Paddy Pimblett moved up to featherweight as he entered his 20s. He compiled a seven-fight win streak comprising five finishes to earn his shot at Cage Warriors featherweight gold.
'The Baddy' locked horns with Johnny Frachey for the vacant 145-pound strap at Cage Warriors 78 in Liverpool.
The title fight started off in a fairly tetchy manner, with both fighters getting a feel for the range. Paddy Pimblett shot in for a badly-timed takedown, which his opponent scurried away from.
Pimblett picked himself off the canvas in disgust after the shoddy takedown attempt and immediately launched at Johnny Frachey with a flying knee, followed by a barrage of strikes against the fence. After some hard ground-and-pound blows, the referee called a halt to the action and Echo Arena went into a frenzy.
'The Baddy' jumped the cage and celebrated his title-winning performance with his friends cage-side, having finally captured championship gold.
#1. Paddy Pimblett vs. Alexis Savvidis
Soon after his title-winning outing against Johnny Frachey, Paddy Pimblett defended his belt against Julian Erosa, coming away with a narrow decision victory. In his next bout, he lost his featherweight title to Nad Narimani and subsequently moved up to the lightweight division.
In his 155-pound debut, Pimblett took on Alexis Savvidis at Cage Warriors 90 in Liverpool.
The first round was a back-and-forth and evenly matched contest as both fighters attempted and came close to cinching up submissions. Paddy Pimblett's relentless leg attacks forced his opponent Alexis Savvidis to constantly scramble. Pimblett even showed tremendous heart to escape an armbar and finish the round strong.
After a high-paced opening frame, Savvidis looked to slow down the fight in the second round and pushed Pimblett against the fence. As he'd done twice previously in his career, 'The Baddy' swooped onto a flying triangle and the Scouse crowd in attendance went crazy.
Pimblett locked up the triangle in quick time and forced the tap moments later, before jumping into the raucous mob of fans.
