UFC lightweight sensation Paddy Pimblett has addressed the controversial ending to his recent gym encounter with Dennis Frimpong at Manchester Top Team, where he maintained a submission hold after his opponent had signaled submission.
In a detailed explanation of the incident, Pimblett revealed that the root of their dispute stemmed from Frimpong’s previous behavior toward two of his training partners, Jake and George, whom he considers “like my little brothers.”
“He was bullying two of the lads who all come to my gym,” Pimblett said. “As you all know, I don’t like bullies.”
The Liverpool native explained that Frimpong had made deeply personal remarks about George’s deceased grandmother during a previous competition, which George ultimately won by submission in the fourth round.
The tension escalated through social media exchanges, leading to their eventual meeting.
“We both agreed, we don’t stop until someone’s unconscious. Taps don’t count,” Pimblett explained. “Quitting to strikes doesn’t count. We just go until someone’s out cold.”
During their exchange, Pimblett secured a rear-naked choke on Frimpong. Despite criticism about maintaining the hold after the tap, Pimblett defended his actions, suggesting Frimpong strategically exposed his neck
“because he didn’t want to get flattened out and ground and pounded until he was unconscious.”
He further addressed the backlash:
“A lot of people saying, I’ve got no honour. I’ve got no this. I’ve got no that,” Pimblett stated. “I’ve seen Dennis say in an interview since, if I would have knocked him unconscious, I would have jumped on him and landed a few more strikes. All’s fair in love and war.”
The encounter concluded when Pimblett offered to continue from a standing position, but Frimpong declined.
“Dennis come over and said, ‘no, I’m done. I don’t want to go again.’ And then we shook hands like men,” Pimblett recalled.
Pimblett, who holds a professional record of 22-3, last competed in the UFC when he submitted Bobby Green at UFC 304 in July. He currently maintains a six-match winning streak in the promotion.
