5 reasons why Paddy Pimblett must win at UFC 282
After an initially successful run in the UFC, Paddy Pimblett will graduate from Fight Night cards to PPVs in December. He is currently scheduled to take part in UFC 282. Not only is he scheduled to face Jared Gordon, but he will do so right before the co-main event on the card.
It's an enormous bump from his usual experience fighting on Fight Night cards in smaller arenas. Furthermore, he has an extremely visible spot on the final PPV card of the year. 'The Baddy' is guaranteed entertainment whether he's fighting inside the octagon or being interviewed outside it.
However, at UFC 282, he's in a position of the utmost importance. He must emerge victorious now more than ever. This list details the five reasons why he has to win later this December.
#5. Molly McCann lost at UFC 281
Molly McCann and Paddy Pimblett are very much a dynamic duo. The two Scousers are close friends and are often, if not always, seen together. Whether they're doing interviews together or appearing cageside during UFC events, they're rarely separate.
Until recently, the two friends were riding a wave of joint success. While they've amassed a serious fanbase, many are eager to see them both fail. At UFC 281, 'Meatball's' detractors watched her suffer a lopsided first-round submission loss against Erin Blanchfield.
Erin Blanchfield DEMOLISHES "Meatball" Molly McCann!
#UFC281 https://t.co/YzVTBtZOtO
As one half of the dynamic duo that the UFC relies on to bolster their UK-based cards, Paddy Pimblett can't afford a loss. Molly McCann's recent defeat will cause many to look more closely at 'The Baddy'. With more people expecting him to lose because his friend lost, he must prove them wrong.
He must separate himself from the limitations that others have placed on 'Meatball'. While she's regarded as a gatekeeper in her division, Paddy Pimblett is aiming higher. To reinforce that image and disassociate himself from being thought of as a gatekeeper, it's victory or bust.
#4. The Scousers have no other representative
Yet another Scouser on the UFC roster, Darren Till, is a former title challenger. He is well-known for his colorful personality and humorous social media accounts. Unfortunately, 'The Gorilla' has been on a career downswing. In his five recent bouts, he has won once and lost four times.
Furthermore, his projected returns to the octagon have been derailed by frequent injury crises. With Darren Till's troubles and losses as well as Molly McCann's recent defeat, Paddy Pimblett is the last Scouser standing. He is yet to lose in the UFC and the hopes and dreams of Scousers now rest on his shoulders.
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'The Baddy' remains the only one who has not yet been derailed by a loss under Dana White's banner. Just as Molly McCann's detractors hope to see him lose, the Scousers have thrown all their support behind him. He is expected to lead their takeover in the UFC.
If a loss is to come, it will only be acceptable against ranked competition. His upcoming foe, Jared Gordon, is an unranked lightweight. For the dream of a Scouser champion to become a reality, he must win.
#3. Paddy Pimblett must repay the UFC's faith in him
As previously mentioned, 'The Baddy's' upcoming bout will take place at a PPV event. Up until now, Paddy Pimblett has only ever been booked to participate in the antepenultimate bout of Fight Night main cards. This time, however, he'll be the antepenultimate bout of his first-ever UFC PPV.
PADDY THE BADDY IS BACK 
🚨PADDY THE BADDY IS BACK 🚨
Paddy Pimblett v. Jared Gordon
UFC 282 | December 10 | Las Vegas https://t.co/yZCEjposLA
Not only is UFC 282 a PPV, but it is the final PPV of the year. Thus, it's an event of significant importance and it must deliver in order for the promotion to close out the year in style. The card itself is stacked with considerable talent and proven main event attractions.
That Paddy Pimblett is being trusted to help bolster by being given a spot above a legend and former champion like Robbie Lawler is very telling. To repay the UFC's faith in him, he must win. A loss in his most visible bout when the lights are brightest will do him no favors.
#2. It's possibly his last unranked bout
Paddy Pimblett's matchup with Jared Gordon is likely to be his final bout against an unranked foe. If he emerges victorious, 'The Baddy' can no longer be booked to face opponents outside the lightweight rankings. This is true for various reasons. The first is his placing on the card.
UFC star Paddy Pimblett refuses to take on ranked opponents unless he’s paid more money dailystar.co.uk/sport/ufc/padd… https://t.co/awNo7KP3GL
Not only is he fighting in his first-ever UFC PPV, but he'll be doing so just below the co-main event. The UFC cannot afford to frequently place him so high on their PPV cards against unranked opponents of no renown. If 'The Baddy' is to become the star that the promotion hopes he will, he'll have to start facing tougher foes.
Given that his position on the PPV is meant to help close out the year, this will be a test for him. If he succeeds, he's likely to earn a chance against a ranked adversary. Thus, his upcoming bout is a stepping stone used to determine whether he is ready for the next stage. It would be the worst possible time for him to lose.
#1. A win or loss will set the tone for next year
MMA, as is the case with all sports, focuses on what a fighter has done most recently. While Paddy Pimblett has enjoyed a successful run in 2022, with two wins, it'll all be overshadowed if he tastes defeat at UFC 282. Fans will forget about his exciting submission wins and focus on his loss.
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Thus, 2023 could turn into a year of rebuilding for 'The Baddy'. A win, however, sets a more positive tone for the surging lightweight. This will allow him to end his year on a high note and leave fans clamoring to see how high his ceiling truly is. Had he lost earlier in the year, it would have been different.
But because he's fighting on 2022's final PPV, Paddy Pimblett is in a position where a win or loss will define his year. A possible win marks 2023 as a year of ascension, while a loss will mark it as a year of rebuilding. To avoid having his hype train derailed, he must win.