Paddy Pimblett’s UFC win dubbed ‘worst decision of all-time’

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UFC expert Ariel Helwani has brandished Paddy Pimblett’s decision victory over Jared Gordon as the worst in UFC history. It seems to be a a consensus opinion that Pimblett was lucky to be given the unanimous decision, after three close rounds with the American. However, the judges all scored it the same, giving Pimblett the victory by a round, something that he agreed with in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.

A number of fighters have since come out and criticised the decision from the judges, as well as Pimblett claiming that he should have won fight of the night – a bonus which gives the fighter $50,000 (£40,000) for the best performance over the evening – which went to Dricus Du Plessis and Darren Till.

MMA expert Helwani has gone a step further, though, brandishing Pimblett’s win to be one of the worst decisions in the history of the sport. He said: “After watching that fight, I believe that is one of the worst decisions in the history of the UFC. I think that at worst, it was 29-28 Jared Gordon and I think you can make a strong case for 30-27 to Gordon. 

“I do not know how all three judges could score that for Paddy Pimblett. I do not know how you can give the first round to Paddy. I do not understand it. I feel for Jared Gordon, his left hand was landing and he fought a great fight.”

Pimblett has already hit back at criticism, claiming he won the fight and does not understand why anyone would question that. He said: “I don’t think it was close. I don’t understand how anyone thinks it was close. I easily won the first two rounds and then the third round I coasted because my ankle was very sore.

“I think I’m going to need something doing to this ankle because it doesn’t feel right. As soon as we’re in the third round he pushed me against the cage I had no urgency to get off it. “He wasn’t landing any damage. I was the one landing the strikes. I don’t think he got me down, I ended up taking him down. I think he landed one significant strike in the third round so I don’t understand.

“People just don’t like me lad, do you know what I mean?” he added. “People just want to score a fight against me. I’m a nice guy – why does everyone hate me?  I’m pretty p***ed off to be honest. Joe Rogan came in and said ‘that was a close fight? I was like ‘what are you on about lad?’ It wasn’t a split decision, it was a unanimous decision, so I’m pretty p***ed off that people thought I lost, it’s annoying me. It’s annoying me a lot.”

As mentioned, Helwani is not alone in his belief that Pimblett lost, though, with Justin Gaetjhe and Nate Diaz both stating that they felt Pimblett lost the fight.

However, the win now sees Pimblett remain undefeated in the UFC with four straight victories, and sets him up for a big fight – potentially on the UFC London card in March.

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