Featured Image Credit: @DwightSchruteOn via X
Topics: UFC, Paddy Pimblett, MMA
Chris Nee
The natural intensity of mixed martial arts rivalries can have a tendency to spill outside the octagon. Occasionally, outside feuds go the other way and spill into one.
UFC star Paddy Pimblett settled his by taking a social media dispute with a rival onto the mat, but a controversial choke hold threatened to exacerbate the situation and almost started a mass brawl.
'The Baddy' headed into enemy territory to take on Denis Frimpong after angry exchanges between the pair flared up and a social media feud ensued.
It all began when Frimpong swatted away a fan's desire to see him go at it with Pimblett when UFC Fight Night comes to London's O2 Arena in March.
"He won't be fit for the Vegas event never mind the London one," said Frimpong. Fight Night returns to Las Vegas a month after the card in London. It has since been confirmed that Pimblett will not be competing at the O2.
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Pimblett took umbrage at the comment and the subsequent war of words apparently culminated in an agreement to put the matter to bed in the only way that makes sense for two MMA fighters. Pimblett visited Frimpong in Manchester and the two turned their feud physical in front of an enthusiastic cadre of fighters and trainers, along with the inevitable handy phone cameras.
30-year-old Pimblett, who has a 22-3 career MMA record and has never been beaten by knockout, gradually took control of the scrap. According to reports, the Liverpudlian fighter eventually ducked Frimpong's right hook and took him to the mat.
He then applied a rear naked choke hold that forced Frimpong to tap out. But Pimblett's refusal to release the hold ignited an angry response in the Manchester Top Team gym. He was pulled off his rival fighter as the situation started to boil over.
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Nothing came of the unofficial handbags and the two fighters appeared to consider their beef squashed when all was said and done.
Four-time Fight Night victor Pimblett has not fought in headgear or the octagon since last July, when he extended his win streak to six by beating King Green by submission.