It proved to be a special night Paddy Pimblett at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, with “The Baddy” capturing the vacant Cage Warriors Featherweight title.
Serving as the Cage Warriors 78 co-headline, it took Paddy just 1:35 seconds to get the finish, throwing a flying knee followed by a right hand, to stop Frenchman Johnny Frachey.
After missing weight-in his last fight against Teddy Violet, CWFC 78 served as a significant night for Pimblett to rebut his critics.
Even during his ring walk – in front of 4,000 fans at the Echo Arena – never for a minute did the confident Pimblett look like he was prepared to lose.
As the partisan Scouse crowd spurred him on, the home fighter immediately pressured his opponent. After setting up his attacks with the low kick, Pimblett pounced on Franchey.
Although his initial jumping knee missed the mark, Paddy showed his quick reactions, as he followed up with a right hand which sent the Frenchman crashing to the canvas.
What a finish from The Baddy! @PatrickPimblett is the new #CWFC featherweight world champion!👊 #CWFC78 https://t.co/FyUd2X5Dix
— #UFC203 (@btsportufc) 10 September 2016
Following his win, former Cage Warriors 145lb champion Alex Enlund; who is now signed to the UFC, handed over the belt Pimblett. It was a passing of the torch of such, to the man many are deeming the future of British MMA.
If the doubts remained over Pimblett’s legitimacy, the young gun looked to silence them with a post-fight promise of monumental proportions.
The newly crowned champion claimed: “I am going to be the pound-for-pound best in the world this time in five years”
Cage can’t contain the excitement of Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett after his 1st rd THUNDEROUS KO win! #ANDNEW! #CWFC78 https://t.co/QI0ogrgr8c
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) 10 September 2016
The win showcased exactly why Next Generation Liverpool’s Pimblett is so highly regarded, despite only being 21-years-old.
Featherweight contender Nad Naramani will fight against Arnold Quero at CWFC 79, with the winner likely the next challenger for “The Baddy.”
