Paddy Pimblett is set to face Jared Gordon in the biggest fight of his career at UFC 282.
The Liverpool fighter will get the chance to prove his star power once again now he has been moved up to the co-main event slot.
The switch comes as now former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka was forced to withdraw from his rematch with Glover Teixeira due to a shoulder injury sustained during wrestling in his training camp. The Czech mixed martial artist decided to vacate his title rather than hold his division up.
This has paved the way for The Baddy to steal all the headlines again in what he calls ‘the people’s main event’. Defending his 3-0 unbeaten run in the UFC his opponent, Gordon, is 4-1 in his last five bouts. The veteran who has competed 11 times in the promotion will be looking to cause an upset in the most high-profile opportunity of his career.
Pimblett’s meteoric rise is one of the biggest the organisation has ever seen. The 27-year-old has built huge support ever since his debut when the UFC signed him from Cage Warriors. Being recognised for his popularity it is the first time a pay per view co main event has been scheduled between two unranked fighters. As it stands, he is destined to reach superstardom and this opportunity is just the beginning of the legacy that Paddy hopes to build.
Fellow Liverpudlian Darren Till is also set to compete on the same card against South African, Dricus Du Plessis. Though Till is one of the bigger names in the middleweight division he has been placed on the prelims instead of the main card. This is subject to change as another fight needs to be put in place for the cancelled main event. Either way, it is surprising that someone of Till’s profile would be put so far down the bout order.
Speaking to Fighters Only, Pimblett said: “I’m coming to take over. All of the Yanks know this. All of the Yanks are Baddy followers, and The Baddy is coming to take over.
“That is simply one other step on a giant journey, and that is only the start. I can’t wait to shine as soon as once more!”
