Paddy Pimblett chose an under-the-radar finish for his 2024 Entry of the Year front-runner.
UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett has demonstrated elite wrestling throughout his career, and more specifically since joining the UFC. He further proved his wrestling skills during a recent gym match, where he rolled with a submission specialist for an hour.
As 2024 comes to a close, many fighters, media platforms and fans are calling for the annual MMA awards, including “Entry of the Year.” A common choice is Islam Makhachev's win over Dustin Poirier, in which Makhachev overcame heavy damage early and choked out Poirier in the championship rounds by D'Arce choke.
Pimblett is knocking on the door of a potential title contender, and while he respects Makhachev's elite skills and status, he went a different route for his SOTY selection.
Paddy Pimblett: 'I would suggest Dustin Poirier'
In a recent vlog uploaded to his YouTube channel, Pimblett downplayed Makhachev's submission in favor of finishing an undefeated juggernaut.
“Obviously Islam's sub is good, but it's just a D'Arce choke. I went from a guillotine to a triangle to an arm bar, from the feet,” Pimblett said. “I still think Khamzat's sub was better, Khamzat against Robert Whittaker was a better submission. No one did that to Robert Whittaker… Poirier has been submitted several times before.
“I would nominate Dustin Poirier. No one has submitted Bobby Green in like twelve years or whatever it was.
Undefeated Khamzat Chimaev handed former UFC titleholder Robert Whittaker a loss and extensive oral surgery after the fight at UFC 308 in October. Chimaev fitted Whittaker with a facial crank, which left Whittaker with a gruesome mouth injury.
Pimblett last knocked out King Green at UFC 304 in July. He is closing in on a possible return to the cage against one of Poirier's former rivals.
Paddy Pimblett chooses Khamzat Chimaev for 'Entry of the Year'
While Pimblett's confidence in submitting Poirier is fair, it's worth noting that Poirier has a solid base game to match his elite boxing. He is known for 'jumping the gilly' in his fights and nearly choked UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242.
Makhachev's D'Arce choke submission at UFC 302 was his first win using the technique. He has completed submissions to the likes of Dan Hooker, Charles Oliveira and Thiago Moisés during his UFC tenure.
Pimblett and Makhachev could potentially find themselves on a future collision course if the British star can pick up a few more wins in the stacked lightweight division. 2025 could be a big year for Pimblett as he continues to face stiffer competition.
As for his views on Poirier, Pimblett respects the former interim rightful's accolades but believes submission wrestling is far from a concern for his opponents.
Related posts
Comments