Paddy Pimblett has been winning since joining the UFC, but that doesn't mean he's being hailed as the next big thing in the lightweight division.
Always outspoken and supported by a passionate fan base, the 29-year-old Liverpudlian has always touted himself as a future UFC champion, but has too little experience facing the best fighters in the world to know his limits at this point. Pimbret will get a chance to put his plans in motion on Saturday when he faces veteran lightweight fighter King Greene on the main card of UFC 304.
Green has never been a UFC title contender, but he's been in the top 15 for several years and has impressive wins over names like Grant Dawson, Jim Miller, Tony Ferguson and Al Iaquinta. That's a level of competition that Pimbret has yet to face, but that's what he'll be up against this weekend.
“This is definitely the start of a series of fights,” UFC analyst Laura Sanko told MMA Fighting about Pimbret's test at UFC 304. “So far, Paddy has proven he is what he said he was on Cage Warriors and to a great extent, he has delivered on that promise.
“Indeed, he has passed all the tests we have given him. Some have been controversial, but the fact is, if you look at his Tapology page, there is only one Green in the UFC and we have to respect that. King Green is a whole other test.”
Pimblett currently boasts a 5-0 record in the UFC, but many believe he could stand to lose a loss on his resume after a narrow decision win over Jared Gordon in 2022.
Despite claiming he's destined to have a gold ring around his waist, Pimbret has yet to come across as a polished fighter in the UFC, but he has a chance to change that at UFC 304.
“It's always great to beat a classic like Tony Ferguson, but I think we all understand where Tony is at in his career at the moment. It's not the same as beating Tony Ferguson in 2016,” Sanko said of Pimblett's latest win. “It's not the same thing. I think King Green is a unique test for anyone because of the speed of his hands.
“He's one of the fastest guys competing in the lightweight division and has one of the most unique stand-up moves. There's no one else who can fight like him. He pays the price sometimes, but most of the time, and especially recently, he overpowers his opponents with his hand speed, his positioning and the fact that his striking comes from a really hard place to train.”
Sanko believes Green's awkward, unique style is the biggest reason why Pimbrett may struggle at UFC 304. Green's approach, which involves him often chasing his opponent with his hands on his hips before throwing a combination, goes against the basics taught by most top striking coaches.
Somehow, Green uses it effectively, and it works, making it even harder for opponents to game plan against him.
“We always talk about guys who have a very traditional karate stance, and you have to find guys who can emulate that,” Sanko explained. “You'd be hard pressed to find someone in the gym who can fight like King Green. He's lightning fast, he throws from the hip, he has authority. When you see that authority come into play in a fight, somewhere in your brain as an opponent you're thinking, 'Wow, he's got a flow.'”
“When he gets in the flow, his accuracy and quickness make him a very dangerous and powerful player.”
As he has done in his previous UFC bouts, Pimblett exudes confidence to defeat Green and continue his rise up the lightweight rankings.
That may be true, but Sanko believes it's actually just the first of many hurdles Pimblett must overcome before he can convince a skeptical public that he's the real deal.
“Is this a test for Paddy? It's a big test for Paddy,” Sanko said, “but I think it's the start of a series of tests that he's going to have to pass. He's going to have some games on the edge of the top 15, early top 15, and if he passes those tests the sky's the limit for Paddy.”
“This is a big moment for him and a key time to fulfil his promise to the fans.”
