MMA legend praises Paddy Pimblett, makes bold prediction: 'He'll be champion one day'

P. Pimblett (photo) in UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction / Twitter @UFCEurope

One of the most popular figures in Ultimate today, Paddy Pimblett has been the target of criticism and distrust from a large part of the fans since the fight against Jared gordon, in December 2022. Despite this, for the UFC legend Demetrious Johnson, the Liverpool representative has enough skills and potential to become a champion in the future.

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In a video published on YouTube last Friday (4), the former UFC flyweight champion (up to 56,7 kg) analyzed the confrontation of the co-main fight of this Saturday's event (12), between the Englishman and Michael chandler. According to the American, Pimblett's technical evolution since his debut in the Ultimate gives indications that the fighter can reach the top of the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg).

“I can’t wait to see him get to the point where… Like, I think one day he’ll be a champion. I think if he’s not a champion, he’ll be like one of those guys who were really good and never became (champions). Like a Urijah faber or a Joseph Benavidez. He's doing everything right now, in this fight, at this point in his career,” said the former fighter.

D. Johnson is the UFC record holder for title defenses (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFCBrasil)

PUBLICITY:

Paddy Pimblett is undefeated in the UFC

Paddy Pimblett did THIS in his debut

Will he beat Michael chandler at #UFC314?! pic.twitter.com/VoxmhYxyju

- UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 9, 2025

According to Johnson, Pimblett's aggressiveness combined with his grappling skills could be enough to leave the octagon with victory in the UFC 314.

Paddy has been criticized for the way he fights, because he gets hit a lot. One of the things I love about him is that he always gives it his all when he fights. When he's in trouble and he's winning, he gives it his all. He's so diverse in his attacks and he's really good. You only see the part where he talks trash, when he gets fat and everything, but he's able to create fights, come out on top of those fights and finish his opponents. So if he's fighting against Michael chandler and gets hit twice, pushed against the fence and knocked down, he'll try to do a nice jiu-jitsu job, try to catch him,” he concluded.