Paddy Pimblett and Jared Gordon face off on Saturday in a lightweight showdown at UFC 282 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Paddy Pimblett comes into this fight with a 19-3 record overall and since coming into the UFC he has gone 3-0. In his last start against Jordan Leavitt, it was in the second round that he locked in a rear naked choke and secured the victory. Each of his three fights inside the UFC have been by knockout. He is averaging 4.19 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.00 significant strikes per minute. He is averaging 1.88 successful takedowns attempts every 15 minutes and he is successful on 40 percent of his takedown attempts. He also stops 60 percent of his takedown attempts. Pimblett always hunts the submission but he is a very well rounded fighter.
On the other side of this fight is Jared Gordon who sits with a 19-5 record overall and he has won four of their last five fights. Gordon’s last fight came against Leonardo Santos in August of 2022 and he was able to secure the unanimous decision victory. He outsturck Santos 116-36. Two fights ago against Grant Dawson he was takedown down seven times and it was late in the third round that he was finished by a rear naked choke. He is averaging 5.53 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.11 significant strikes per minute. He likes to get the fight to the ground and is averaging 1.97 takedowns every 15 minutes, and he is successful on 39 percent of his takedown attempts. He also stops 58 percent of his opponent's takedown attempts.
Gordon is a good fighter, but the big concern here has to be with his chin. Far too often his chin hasn’t been able to take the big punches, and that isn’t going to work against Pimblett. Look for Paddy the Baddy to use his power here, and that is going to be the difference. Back Pimblett by the finish.
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
