Paddy Pimblett competes in annual grappling competition with hour-long match and shock result
Yesterday at 02:12 PM
UFC star Paddy Pimblett is quickly approaching fight shape ahead of his anticipated return to the Octagon in 2025.
Paddy Pimblett is known for significant weight gains between fight camps, vehemently criticized by many fans, pundits, and fellow fighters. However, one thing that can’t be questioned is Pimblett’s stamina and ability to get into fight shape quickly, as he demonstrated during an annual grappling competition in Liverpool.
Pimblett, who submitted King Green in a signature performance at UFC 304, is known to have some of the nastiest grappling in the lightweight division. Pimblett has demonstrated that if opponents opt to take him down, he’s dangerous off his back, and has sunk in numerous crafty submissions during his MMA career.
Every year during his combat sports career, Pimblett and his team hold a unique grappling competition at his Liverpool gym called ‘King of the Mat’. Ahead of the holidays, Pimblett appeared on the mats in this year’s competition and squared off with one of the most creative grappling talents in the world, Matty Holmes.
It was a battle royale of sorts at Next Generation MMA Liverpool, as Pimblett and Holmes rolled in front of an intrigued crowd at the gym. Pimblett has dominated the mats in past KOTM competitions, but this year was vastly different.
Despite Pimblett and Holmes’ abilities to get submissions, neither athlete budged at the other’s attacks, and the competition was eventually stopped after about an hour of scrambles.
Paddy Pimblett matched for the first time in ‘King of the Mat’ reign
Next Generation MMA Liverpool shared the result of the grappling marathon on their Instagram page.
“Another fantastic king of the mat. After 2 1/2 hours of non stop rolling we decided to jointly award the win to [Paddy Pimblett] and [Matty Holmes] together. Both are so high level they ended up cancelling each other out for over an hour straight. Well done lads,” the gym posted.
Pimblett has trained at Next Generation MMA since he was 15, inspired by the legendary clash between Rich Franklin and Vitor Belfort at UFC 103. Almost 15 years after entering the gym for the first time, Pimblett has quickly become one of MMA’s biggest stars as he rises the UFC ranks.
Holmes, Pimblett’s grappling opponent at this year’s gym competition, is an accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu standout. He’s appeared multiple times at Polaris competitions and recently notched a three-bout winning streak in professional grappling in Grapple Fest.
Holmes last appeared on the mats professionally at Polaris 24 last year, falling to Jason Rau by first-round armbar. As of this writing, Holmes’ submission grappling return isn’t set.
While it’s uncertain who Pimblett will face next in the UFC Octagon, he has some potentially new blood around the corner waiting in the wings. UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who has a checkered history with Pimblett, recently announced his intention to move up to lightweight as he vies for two-weight championship status.
Paddy Pimblett enters 2025 knocking on the door of UFC title contention
As Pimblett awaits his next UFC assignment, he’s enjoying some time away from combat sports, and his questionable dietary habits. He’ll likely return at the UFC’s upcoming event in London on March 22 at The 02 Arena, although an opponent for his next fight hasn’t been announced.
Pimblett didn’t take long in his UFC tenure to make waves amongst fans. After winning a wild debut against Luigi Vendramini, Pimblett has earned recent wins against the likes of Tony Ferguson, Jared Gordon, and Jordan Leavitt.
We could be days away from getting more clarity on Pimblett’s return to the Octagon in 2025. For now, he continues to showcase his impressive grappling toolbox, which could give headaches to his upcoming rivals.
