UFC legend Chael Sonnen has altered his opinion on Paddy Pimblett after hailing the star's "close to perfect" win against Jordan Leavitt.
Pimblett has enjoyed a remarkable rise in the UFC and pulled off his latest win at London's O2 arena in July when he choked out Leavitt. This was his third consecutive victory since signing with the promotion, having also beaten Kazula Vargas at the same venue earlier in the year.
Despite picking up a seemingly routine victory, Pimblett was unhappy with his performance which saw him unable to stop his opponent until the second stanza. However UFC legend Sonnen, who has previously expressed his uncertainty on Pimblett's career, was full of praise for the 27-year-old.
"As good as Paddy looked in his ability to push the pace and out-scramble his opponent, out-hustle and outwork his opponent, I maintain he was dealing with stresses and pressures, mentally and physically," Sonnen said when assessing Pimblett's win on his YouTube channe l. "I submit for you that performance was as close to perfect that I have seen in a period of time.
"And I submit for you that he was not at his best. When he gave that post-fight interview and we found out that he is dealing with a death. He stayed professional until it was time to break and to be a real human being. My days of giving Paddy a hard time are behind me. There was a time over here that I was never going to say his name again and I felt I was done with Paddy and as a young guy he just doesn't understand what we are doing, but I take that back.
"Paddy has completely changed my mind and his performance was eligible for a guy who could be a future world champion. His interview in all fairness knowing what he was dealing with in the build-up to that fight, he was professional and I didn't think he was previously. The skills showed potential of a future world champion. Paddy looked phenomenal."
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Pimblett broke down in tears during his interview in the octagon where he revealed his friend Ricky had taken his own life just days before the event took place. The Merseyside star handled it with professionalism and composure, while sending a hugely-important message to other men struggling with mental health problems to speak to someone.
In the octagon, Pimblett believed he was underwhelming but has pointed out his ability to win while struggling to replicate his best form. "Once again, disappointed in my performance, I was not firing on all cylinders in the back but that was s**t," he said immediately after the stoppage. "That's what I always do, I'm very good at it. I love every person in this crowd."
