Pimblett's second UFC fight was not spotless, but it sure delivered on action
Paddy Pimblett is building a reputation for doubling down on its licks and comebacks. Pimblett scored a first-round submission victory over Rodrigo Vargas on the main card of the UFC London at the O2 Arena.
Pimblett (18-3) got off to a poor start on Saturday night, absorbing an early knockdown from leading underdog Vargas (12-5). Pimblett worked his way out of the bottom position and eventually secured Vargas' back. Buoyed by the raucous support of his fellow Englishmen, Pimblett locked in a rear-naked choke. Vargas tapped a few moments later and the crowd overwhelmed the arena with his cheers.
Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors champion, improved to 2-0 in the Octagon and extended his active winning streak to four. His first UFC fight in September followed a similar pattern. Luigi Vendramini put Pimblett in serious danger in the first round, before Pimblett turned the tide later in the verse. Vargas is now 1-3 in the UFC.
"See this arena, O2? It's too small," Pimblett told UFC commentator Michael Bisping in a post-fight interview. "Too small. Get me a stadium. Take me to Anfield and we'll fill it up."
Pimblett, who shared bad blood with another fighter on the undercard this week in Ilya Topuria, called a bout with the Georgian fighter even after Topuria's own bout.