UFC 282 results: Paddy Pimblett outlasts Jared Gordon for decision in grappling-heavy battle
Table of Contents
- UFC 282 results: Paddy Pimblett outlasts Jared Gordon for decision in grappling-heavy battle
- Post Fight Stats
Pimblett’s unbeaten streak in the UFC continues with a somewhat contentious decision on Saturday night.
Paddy Pimblett’s UFC record now stands at 4-0. Pimblett defeated experienced Octagon veteran Jared Gordon in the co-main event of UFC 282 on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Gordon made Pimblett pay for his inclination to keep his chin up early and often. Gordon uncorked a series of powerful left hooks that drew Pimblett’s iron chin like a magnet. Despite the fact that two judges scored Round 1 in Pimblett’s favour, he often appeared to land the less damaging strikes. The competition increased in the second stanza. Both players had their moments, and despite landing hard shots, neither was seriously injured. In what was a close game, Pimblett landed significantly more significant and total strikes.
Pimblett improves to 20-3 in his professional career and 4-0 in the UFC with three knockouts. Gordon fell to 19-6 overall, with wins and defeats in his previous four fights.
The first ten fights at UFC 282 all ended in knockouts or submissions. The first was the co-main event between Jared Gordon and Paddy Pimblett, and guess what, the judges got it incorrect.
Gordon appeared to be in command of the bout, landing the harder shots, breaking Pimblett with three left hooks, and never getting himself into difficulty.
Gordon won 30-27, while Pimblett won 29-28, according to the three judges (Doug Crosby, Chris Lee, and Ron McCarthy).
“What exactly is a hype train?” Pimblett yelled. “Who the f*** is a hype train?”
It was a sad conclusion to a fast-paced, engaging contest. Pimblett is the greater name, and he has the hype. The audience at T-Mobile Arena was firmly in his support, cheering him on throughout.
After the intended main event between Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira was cancelled due to Prochazka’s injury, the fight between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev was promoted to the main event, while Pimblett-Gordon was relegated to the co-feature.
Pimblett was practically a 3-1 favourite, but Gordon seemed to have the upper hand for the whole of the race.
Pimblett had five more significant strikes than Gordon, 63-58, but Gordon had the harder shots. Gordon had three takedowns to Pimblett’s three. Gordon’s control time was 6:28, while Pimblett’s was 35 seconds.
However, the judges found a way to award it to Pimblett, who clearly thought he had won. Crosby and McCarthy each gave Pimblett the first two rounds and Gordon the last. Gordon’s first goal came from Lee, while Pimblett’s last two came from Pimblett.
When the judgement was given, the audience applauded, but it didn’t appear that he’d done enough to win. He got it nevertheless, as an early Christmas present.
Post Fight Stats
Gordon had slightly more overall strikes (100 to 97) and a far higher accuracy percentage (57 to 40%) on important strikes. He had also completed three of six takedown attempts, totaling 6:28 of control time. Meanwhile, Pimblett failed all three of his efforts and only had 0:35 of mat time.
Thousands of Pimblett fans in Las Vegas were certainly overjoyed when their man was declared the winner, but the truth is that the Brit’s victory had little merit and would only hinder him in the future.
Despite Pimblett’s enormous popularity, there have always been real concerns about his ceiling. He’s definitely capable of defeating lower-level opponents, but after three losses outside of the UFC and an early scare in his promotional debut against Luigi Vendramini, there’s been plenty of reason to mistrust his ability to compete with the best.
A convincing stoppage victory over a veteran like Gordon would have done much to erase such misgivings. In that perspective, a convincing decision victory might have been even more significant.
Instead, we saw Pimblett get out-fought for three rounds and still come out on top. That conclusion will only strengthen his critics’ claims and embolden his detractors. It also puts the UFC’s matchmakers in a difficult position.
The Brit is now 4-0 in the promotion, which would normally justify a promotion to the next level, but after UFC 282, there’s less reason than ever to believe he’s ready.
If he wants to get his hype train back up and running, he’ll need to put on a truly stunning performance in his next bout.
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