UFC fan favourite Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett has announced his next opponent for UFC 282 in Las Vegas.
The Scouser has selected hard-hitting Jared Gordon to be his next foe and will be hoping for another stoppage inside the Octagon on his first outing in front of a US crowd.
The UFC confirmed via social media that Pimblett would be fighting Gordon at UFC 282 on December 10. Much speculation had circled who the Liverpool-based fighters’ opponent would be with names such as Terrence McKinney and other top lightweights doing the rounds.
Pimblett is a former Cage Warriors champion with a current record of 19-3. After a successful career in Europe’s top promotion, ‘The Baddy’ made the jump up to the UFC in September 2021. Since then, Pimblett has fought three times in the UFC all ending in finishes for the Next-Generation prodigy. Luigi Vendramini, Rodrigo Vargas and Jordan Leavitt were all solid opponents but Gordon is a definite step up in competition.
The opponent
Gordon is 7-4 inside the UFC and has fought the likes of former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira and Liverpool-based Chris Fishgold. Coming off a win over Leonardo Santos in August, Gordon is now 4-1 in his last five outings.
UFC 282
Pimblett is just one of the top names fighting on the December fight card. The main event of 282 is expected to be a light heavyweight title rematch between Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira. As well as multiple former champions on the card, it has also been rumoured that UFC legend Jon Jones may be returning at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas.
Many have questioned whether the atmosphere the Scouser brings can carry itself across the globe. If it does, and he can capture the hearts and minds of the US crowd, it will prove that the up-and-comer can be a genuine global superstar.
