Paddy Pimblett remained unbeaten in the octagon, but Jared Gordon gave him a stern test at UFC 282.
Pimblett (20-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC) defeated Gordon (19-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) by unanimous decision in the co-main event at T-Mobile Arena. All three judges scored it 29-28 for Pimblett – with two judges giving him the first two rounds and the final judge awarding him Rounds 1 and 3.
In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Pimblett said he was confident he won the first two rounds and just “coasted” in Round 3.
STILL UNDEFEATED IN THE OCTAGON!!
Paddy Pimblett takes the UD victory in your #UFC282 co-main event 💪 pic.twitter.com/8QxhdI9fZT
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2022
Pimblett plodded forward with kicks and straight punches right off the bat, but Gordon fired back with a counter left. Gordon landed a couple more lefts, which caught Pimblett’s attention. A low kick by Pimblett, but Gordon landed another big shot – this time with the right. Pimblett mixed things up, landed a switch kick and continued to push forward with combinations, but a game Gordon kept firing back. Pimblett attempted a takedown with less than a minute remaining but was reversed and ended up on his back.
Pimblett landed a left high kick and a few body kicks at the start of Round 2. Gordon started putting the pressure on Pimblett as he looked to find a home for the left. Gordon shot for a takedown, but Pimblett latched onto his neck for a choke without securing his hooks in. Gordon popped out of it, though. Both men traded heavy leather when they made their way back up. Gordon backed Pimblett to the cage and started working for a takedown, but Pimblett shucked him off and started unloading with combinations.
Gordon scored a brief takedown to kick off Round 3 and continued to work for it as Pimblett showed good defense. Pimblett managed to break free, but Gordon pressed him back against the fence and eventually landed the takedown. Gordon took Pimblett’s back, but he was too high, which allowed Pimblett to escape. Pimblett tried taking Gordon’s back as the fight came to a close.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 282 results include:
- Paddy Pimblett def. Jared Gordon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Alex Morono via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 2:29
- Dricus Du Plessis def. Darren Till via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:43
- Ilia Topuria def. Bryce Mitchell via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 3:10
- Raul Rosas Jr. def. Jay Perrin via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:44
- Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Chris Daukaus via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:23
- Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dalcha Lungiambula via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:41
- Chris Curtis def. Joaquin Buckley via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:49
- Billy Quarantillo def. Alexander Hernandez via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:30
- T.J. Brown def. Erik Silva via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 3, 3:41
- Cameron Saaiman def. Steven Koslow via TKO (punches, knees) – Round 3, 4:13
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 282.
