UFC lightweight star Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett has finally opened up about his gym altercation with Denis Frimpong, which went viral after footage surfaced of the two fighters battling it out in the gym. The video quickly gained traction on social media, drawing controversy after Pimblett held onto a rear-naked choke even after Frimpong tapped out. Some fans were quick to criticize Pimblett for not releasing the hold, leading to questions about his actions. Now, Pimblett has explained why he kept the choke locked in.
The Choke That Sparked Controversy
The gym fight between Paddy Pimblett and Frimpong was reportedly an agreed-upon bout, but when footage of the scuffle was released, it triggered a storm of reactions. In the video, Pimblett can be seen sinking in a rear-naked choke on Frimpong, who taps out in submission. However, Pimblett continued to hold the choke until other gym members intervened. This led to widespread criticism, with many questioning why Pimblett didn’t let go after his opponent submitted.
In a recent video posted to his YouTube channel, Pimblett addressed the backlash, revealing his reasoning behind the decision to maintain the choke. He acknowledged the criticism but also shared his side of the story, explaining that there was more to the situation than what fans saw in the viral video.
Backstory to the Tension
According to Paddy Pimblett, the tension with Frimpong had been building for months, starting when Frimpong insulted Pimblett’s teammates, including George Staines and Jake, calling them “little brothers” to Pimblett. Pimblett also took issue with personal remarks Frimpong made towards Staines, including a particularly hurtful comment about Staines’ deceased grandmother.
“It was the stuff he was saying to George, like ‘Your grandma’s gonna go to hell,’ well, in hell, ‘cause his grandma’s dead,” Pimblett explained in the video. “I don’t like bullies, and I had something against him for that anyway.”
The bad blood between the two escalated further when Frimpong made disrespectful comments about Pimblett’s strength and conditioning coach, Paul Reed, during a fight. Pimblett claimed Frimpong fired back with a rude remark, saying, “You stick to S&C, old man. Leave the fighters to fight.” Pimblett, unable to let the insults slide, reached out to Frimpong and challenged him to a fight.
The two eventually agreed to settle things in the gym. However, the terms of the fight weren’t traditional. Pimblett revealed that they agreed they wouldn’t stop until one of them was unconscious, and that taps and quitting due to strikes would not be accepted. It was a fight to the finish.
Once the fight began, Pimblett quickly gained control, choking Frimpong unconscious within 15 minutes. Despite the controversial nature of the choke, Pimblett made it clear that once it was over, he shook hands with his opponent and moved on from the conflict.
Frimpong Defends the Altercation
While the footage sparked heated debate, Frimpong himself later defended Pimblett’s actions, calling the gym fight a “straightener scrap.” He admitted that he expected to be choked out, as that was part of the fight’s understanding. Frimpong did not hold any ill will toward Pimblett for his actions during the altercation.
Paddy Pimblett Clears the Air
In response to the backlash, Pimblett shared more about the circumstances that led to the fight. “I’ve seen a lot of people giving me sh*t for keeping hold of the choke,” he said. “But what people didn’t understand is that he had been saying some pretty awful things, and it wasn’t just about this fight.”
Pimblett emphasized that he could not stand for bullying and felt it was necessary to stand up for his teammates and make a statement. Despite the controversy, he shook hands with Frimpong after the fight, signaling that the matter was resolved on his end.
Moving Forward
With both fighters seemingly putting the situation behind them, the drama surrounding the gym altercation appears to be coming to a close. Pimblett’s explanation has provided more context to the situation, offering fans insight into the reasoning behind his actions. As for Frimpong, he has accepted the outcome of the fight and defended Pimblett’s actions, helping to cool down the tensions.
Pimblett’s explanation not only clears up the confusion surrounding the choke but also highlights his stance on standing up to bullies and protecting his teammates. With the controversy now fading, fans can expect Pimblett to continue focusing on his MMA career, while Frimpong moves on from the viral altercation.
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