Paddy Pimblett's rise to fame in the UFC always seemed like a matter of time, but he did not feel any need to hurry it along.
This Saturday, Pimblett steps into his first main event, facing Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight belt at UFC 324.
When Dana White first announced the fight, not everyone was on board. Some fans felt Pimblett had not done enough to earn a shot at a title.
Even so, there is no question that 'The Baddy' is one of the UFC's biggest names right now. His popularity among MMA fans was already strong even before he made it to the top promotion.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Before making the jump in 2021, Pimblett had become a well-known name in Cage Warriors. His popularity grew not just at home but around the world, and it was not long before the UFC started showing interest.
However, he did not accept their initial deals right away. In an interview on Full Send Podcast, the Briton explained: "It's been a slow progression, my whole career has.
"At first I was going pretty fast, I won my first world title at 21 years old… Since then we've taken it pretty slow, step by step.
"I got offered two UFC contracts before I actually signed, I got offered a contract when I was 21, and then again when I was 23, and I didn't actually sign until I was 26. I knew I wasn't ready, to be honest.
"I spoke about it with my coaches, I was still a child, I was a child fighting men. I know for a fact I would've come into the UFC at the time and probably would've gotten rag-dolled by men. I was very small, I wasn't big at all and I had a lot of holes in my game that I needed to work on… Now, I'm a complete fighter."
Furthermore, 'The Baddy' was earning more in Cage Warriors than he would have on the less lucrative contract that the UFC initially offered him.
"When I got offered the first contract, I got offered a new Cage Warriors deal and that deal was worth more than the base contract with the UFC… When I first signed with the UFC, I took a pay cut."
By the time fight week arrives, Pimblett always looks sharp on the scales. But between camps, his appearance is noticeably different.
Throughout his UFC career, fans have often pointed out 'The Baddy's' tendency to put on weight between fights. Some even think it could catch up with him sooner or later.
