Updated UFC schedule for 2022-23 confirms Paddy Pimblett's next bout, 5 new matchups announced
MMA journalist Marcel Dorff recently revealed an updated schedule for UFC fights, which confirms Paddy Pimblett's upcoming fight against Jared Gordon as scheduled for UFC 282 in December. The list also revealed five new bookings across cards dating up to February 2023.
Ion Cutelaba is scheduled to fight Kennedy Nzechukwu on November 19, in a UFC Fight Night which will be headlined by Derrick Lewis and Sergey Spivak. Bryce Mitchell has finally found himself an opponent in Ilia Topuria, although the matchup has now been moved to UFC 282 in December.
Topuria had initially stepped up after Mitchell's original opponent Movsar Evloev pulled out of a scheduled November 5 clash. However, complications arose as 'El Matador' had issues cutting weight on such short notice.
Another new booking has already made headlines as the youngest fighter in UFC history, Raul Rosas Jr., is set to make his debut against Jay Perrin at UFC 282.
The list also revealed that homeboy Tyson Pedro will be fighting at UFC 284 which will go down in Perth, Australia. Pedro will welcome new signee Zhang Mingyang, who earned his contract off an upset KO win over Bellator veteran George Tokkos at Road to UFC 1.
Undefeated Chechnyan prospect Khusein Askhabov will make his long overdue debut against featherweight veteran Jamall Emmers at a UFC Fight Night on February 18.
***Updated Schedule UFC Fights 10/31/22***
#UFCVegas64 #UFCVegas65 #UFCVegas66 #UFCVegas67 #UFC281 #UFC282 #UFC283 #UFC284 #UFCOrlando #UFCSeoul https://t.co/jyzCRWIRee
Jared Gordon hopes to raise awareness regarding mental health issues with Paddy Pimblett fight
Paddy Pimblett will be facing a step up in competition when he takes on Jared Gordon at UFC 282. While 'The Baddy' has stopped all three of his UFC opponents, Gordon has more wins than all three of them combined.
Coming off a decision win over Leonardo Santos, 'Flash' had racked up a three-fight win-streak since 2020 which was snapped by a submission loss to Grant Dawson earlier this year.
Speaking about his upcoming fight against Paddy Pimblett, Gordon stated that he would like to partner with 'The Baddy' to raise awareness about mental health.
Gordon also sees a lot in common with Pimblett, with both of them having lost a friend to suicide. 'Flash' said in an interview with MMA Junkie:
"He preaches for mental health; I preach for mental health. I think together we could raise awareness for mental health. He recently lost his friend to suicide. I lost my best friend, who was a pro-fighter, as well to suicide a little over a year ago. Literally my best friend.”
Watch Gordon's interview with MMA Junkie below: