JRE MMA Show #188 with Paddy Pimblett

The Liverpool Accent and American Culture [00:00:00]

• Paddy Pimblett jokes about his thick Liverpool accent and the need for subtitles, contrasting it with his "first language" English.
• He comments on the generous portion sizes in America and the constant refills of drinks.

  "The thing with me is the the one thing that kills me is coca-cola really that's what gets you yeah coca-cola is my favorite drink on the planet"

American Food vs. English Snacks [00:03:00]

• Pimblett discusses his weight fluctuations, noting he only gets heavy when in America.
• He critiques American snacks, preferring those from England, and questions the authenticity of some chocolate.

  "terrible food over here but our food it tastes great it tastes great but our food is poison but it tastes marvelous"

Travel Plans and Dubai [00:04:00]

• Pimblett reveals he is only in America briefly for filming and is flying home that night.
• He mentions upcoming family holiday plans in Dubai and potentially watching a teammate fight there.

  "i'm here today and then i fly home tonight oh really and then i get home 10 a.m tomorrow and then i'm flying to dubai on thursday"

UFC Madison Square Garden and Taxes [00:05:00]

• He expresses a desire to fight at Madison Square Garden in New York.
• Pimblett laments the double taxation he faces when fighting in America and then returning to the UK.

  "i get taxed twice don't i oh that's right because i get taxed twice when i go to canada yeah it's like taxed obviously in america and then get taxed again when i get back to the uk"

Preferred Fighting Locations [00:06:00]

• He prefers fighting in Las Vegas over New York due to taxes but would love to fight in Abu Dhabi.
• Pimblett believes Madison Square Garden is a special building with a unique atmosphere.

  "new york is just just massive vacuum cleaner of money but it's still awesome is there something about being in madison square garden"

Anfield Dream and Stadium Fights [00:07:00]

• Pimblett identifies Anfield, Liverpool's stadium, as his dream venue for a fight.
• He acknowledges the UFC's reluctance to host stadium fights, especially considering English weather.

  "anfield ah liverpool stadium yeah oh my god that would be incredible yeah next level oh you could do it you could do it"

Lightweight Division Landscape [00:09:00]

• Pimblett describes the lightweight division as being in a "mad situation" with various contenders.
• He mentions the potential retirements of Volkanovski and Gaethje opening up opportunities.

  "the division's in a bit of a mad situation isn't it yes like obviously it all depends on what justin's doing well before volkanovski beat eve loev"

The "Padlock" Submission [00:11:00]

• Pimblett explains his "Padlock" submission, distinguishing it from the "Pad Tie."
• He describes the technique used against Jordan Levy and its effectiveness.

  "i'm calling that the pad tie what i done to jordan levy i'd already called that the padlock okay so it's like a peruvian necktie but like your the pressure you've got on him with your leg over the top of his back"

"The Padlock" vs. Peruvian Necktie [00:12:00]

• He reveals he had never practiced the "Padlock" submission before using it in a fight.
• Pimblett contrasts this with a Peruvian necktie he had practiced, highlighting the spontaneous nature of his successful submission.

  "really never said just done it on the fly really you never did it in practice or anything oh that's incredible"

Ben "The BMF" Dariush Fight Analysis [00:13:00]

• Pimblett discusses his fight with Ben Dariush, noting it was closer than many remember.
• He explains how he anticipated Dariush's takedown attempt and adapted to secure the submission.

  "i said to him he's gonna come out and he's gonna shoot because if you watch all his fights like i'm i'm a big thing on studying people and seeing what what they do"

The Evolution of MMA Skills [00:17:00]

• Pimblett reflects on how MMA has evolved, requiring fighters to be well-rounded rather than one-dimensional.
• He notes the influx of elite athletes from various martial arts backgrounds.

  "martial arts have evolved more in the last 33 years since the ufc emerged than it has in the last 33 000 years"

Calf Kicks and Strategic Warfare [00:21:00]

• The discussion shifts to the effectiveness of calf kicks in MMA.
• Pimblett explains how they can neutralize an opponent and discusses their strategic importance.

  "it's so crazy how that one thing sort of changed the whole game that if you get your calf smoked now like it's not like a leg kick like a like a thigh kick"

Bobby Green Fight Strategy [00:23:00]

• Pimblett breaks down his fight strategy against Bobby Green, focusing on range and kicks.
• He highlights how he neutralized Green's boxing with effective striking.

  "with that it was when you're on the feet use your range i knew i was bigger than him yeah trying to kick him heaps calf kicks head kicks keep him on the ngo range and it worked perfect"

Early Career and First Fight [00:25:00]

• Pimblett recounts his first fight at 16 on a week's notice against a 24-year-old opponent.
• He describes the amateur rules at the time, which allowed knees to the head.

  "took that on a week's notice and won that by decision i remember getting like me on raising just being like this is the best feeling in the world"

Cage Warriors and European Talent [00:27:00]

• Pimblett praises Cage Warriors as the best show in Europe, consistently producing UFC-level talent.
• He emphasizes the high level of competition on Cage Warriors, with many fighters progressing to the UFC.

  "cage warriors as i always say amazing event the best show in europe by a mile yeah it's an amazing event and the level's so high"

The Ilia Topuria Feud [00:32:00]

• Pimblett explains the origin of his feud with Ilia Topuria, stemming from a tweet about Giga Chikadze.
• He clarifies his use of the word "terrorized" and expresses surprise at Topuria's reaction.

  "it started because of that what was the fighter who got cut the georgian giga giga jacuzzi started because of him he just tweeted something when i first got signed"

Topuria's Rise and "Fake Russian" Accusations [00:34:00]

• Pimblett suggests Topuria used his profile to gain attention.
• He questions Topuria's national identity, pointing out his Spanish flag and German passport.

  "ilya used my profile to get himself bigger because at the time no one knew the ilya taporia was i mean he was taking fights at lightweight against shai herby"

The Hotel Confrontation [00:35:00]

• Pimblett recounts a physical confrontation with Topuria in a hotel lobby.
• He describes the incident, involving thrown hand sanitizer, and his surprise at the escalation.

  "illia's just come out of this double set of doors with about 14 people and i'm just like and he looked right at me and i'm thinking is this going to go off here"

Walkout Music and Fighter Persona [00:40:00]

• Pimblett discusses the evolution of his walkout music and how it reflects his personality.
• He shares the story of Rory MacDonald's accidental walkout music selection.

  "i used to love partying going out all the time you know what i mean and that was the sort of music i listened to and a couple of fights i had a couple of different songs"

Psychological Warfare in MMA [00:45:00]

• The conversation touches on the psychological aspect of MMA, with Conor McGregor cited as a master.
• Pimblett explains how fighters can get into an opponent's head, leading to increased anxiety and harder training.

  "the psychological aspect of of mma is such a huge factor when people genuinely hate each other and they're thinking about their opponent all day long"

Ultimate Fighter and Coaching Dynamics [00:48:00]

• Pimblett shares his favorite seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, particularly Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans' season.
• He discusses the importance of coaches who hate each other for the show's dynamic.

  "my favorite season's rampage richard oh yeah when i first started watching mma call me a bitch yeah you a bitch call me a bitch make me a bitch"

Michael Chandler's Career Choices [00:50:00]

• Pimblett questions Michael Chandler's decision to sit out for two years waiting for a fight with Conor McGregor.
• He believes Chandler could have stayed active and still secured a big payday.

  "it's a travesty that chandler sat out for two years waiting for that fight i know i if i was his friend i would say michael you cannot do this"

Sparring Philosophy [00:52:00]

• Pimblett expresses his love for sparring, contrasting it with fighters like Max Holloway who spar less.
• He believes sparring is crucial for timing and adapting techniques.

  "i spar twice a week i love sparring i love punching people in the face i'm getting punched in the face i love i i don't understand the way holloway says he doesn't spar"

Pride FC Rules and Modern MMA [00:55:00]

• Pimblett discusses the potential benefits of reintroducing Pride FC-style rules, like knees and soccer kicks to the ground.
• He argues these rules would make fights more realistic and exciting.

  "i think you should be able to knee on the floor i think so too and i think you should be able to kick on the floor just not stomp"

Melvin Manhoef and Dangerous Fighters [01:00:00]

• Pimblett highlights Melvin Manhoef as a terrifying fighter from the Pride era.
• He describes Manhoef's power and aggressive fighting style.

  "melvin manhoof before he fought a scouter a couple of times paul cahoon he was a monster man yeah he was a monster"

Round Length Debate [01:04:00]

• The conversation explores the idea of longer rounds, like Pride's 10-minute rounds.
• Pimblett suggests three 10-minute rounds for title fights could be interesting.

  "i think all the rounds need to be the same length do you think they should maybe do for a title fight three ten minute rounds yeah that'd be good"

Stand-Up Stoppages and Control [01:06:00]

• Pimblett criticizes referees for stopping fights prematurely, even when a fighter has dominant control.
• He uses the example of a fighter with a body triangle on an opponent's back being stood up.

  "if someone's got a body triangle on someone's back you can't be standing them up listen you know my coach paul said to me did that happen to you i would've got kicked out of the arena"

Joe Rogan's Influence and Trash Talk [01:11:00]

• Pimblett acknowledges Joe Rogan's pioneering role in using trash talk to build a fighter's profile.
• He reflects on his own early career and how he learned from Rogan's approach.

  "joe rogan well he's the guy that figured out that talking shit was the way to he it took him a while yeah"

Jose Aldo's Career and Weight Cuts [01:13:00]

• They discuss Jose Aldo's career, his incredible longevity, and the challenges of weight cutting.
• Pimblett notes Aldo's difficulty making featherweight and his success at bantamweight.

  "it's amazing how young he is i mean he just retired and a fight that i thought did he lose to cub who was who's his last fight no"

Weight Cutting: The Process and Its Toll [01:17:00]

• Pimblett details his own weight cutting process, including weighing in at nearly 190 lbs before rehydrating.
• He discusses the mental and physical toll of extended dieting.

  "i remember when like literally can i guess which weighed yeah 180 182 190 190 190 wow"

Endurance Athletes and Diet Choices [01:19:00]

• The conversation touches on elite endurance athletes like Courtney Dauwalter who consume candy and beer.
• Pimblett finds it fascinating that such diets can support extreme physical performance.

  "elite endurance athletes that eat candy yeah no it's they like to i can't yeah fast carbs yeah it's not good for you into regular circumstances"

Tony Ferguson's Training and Injuries [01:21:00]

• Pimblett discusses Tony Ferguson's intense training with David Goggins and the potential impact on his fight performance.
• He reflects on Ferguson's career-altering injury and the double weight cut incident.

  "tony ferguson it's the one of the biggest tragedies in the history of the sport was him tripping over wires yeah backstage"

Weight Cutting Methods: Baths vs. Saunas [01:23:00]

• Pimblett shares his preference for hot baths with Epsom salts over saunas for weight cutting.
• He believes baths are more effective for sweating and magnesium absorption.

  "i was just reading that so all you folks out here been hearing me talking about the benefits of sauna and you're like you i don't have a sauna if you have a bath that's better"

Extreme Weight Cutting and Recovery [01:25:00]

• Pimblett recounts a severe weight cut for a Cage Warriors fight, losing over 20 kilos in less than four weeks.
• He describes the physical and mental hardship, including the use of pain medication.

  "so i had like 21 keys to lose wow in less than four weeks so for people at home what is that 49 pounds what is that something like that"

Judging Criteria and Fight Outcomes [01:27:00]

• Pimblett discusses how changes in judging criteria could have affected past fight outcomes.
• He reflects on his fight with Julian Erosa and how a different criteria might have led to a loss.

  "i think it was with the one what was the difference in the criteria in that because i never saw that fight like on wrestling was more like control wrestling"

Controversial Decisions in MMA History [01:29:00]

• The conversation highlights controversial decisions, including Khabib vs. McGregor and Dominick Reyes vs. Jon Jones.
• Pimblett shares his opinion on Reyes potentially winning against Jones.

  "the big one dominic reyes dominic john jones that's the biggest one i've watched that a few times i think dominic won that"

Yoel Romero's Physicality and Longevity [01:31:00]

• Pimblett expresses astonishment at Yoel Romero's physique and ability to compete at an advanced age.
• He notes Romero's power and resilience, even after transitioning to MMA later in his career.

  "i'd stand next to yoel romero i'm like how how are you because i would be standing there next to him weighing 200 pounds and i was like how have you ever been 185 pounds"

Bo Nickal vs. Wrestling and Injury Risk [01:33:00]

• Pimblett discusses Bo Nickal's decision to participate in wrestling, expressing concern about potential knee injuries.
• He cites Cub Swanson's ACL tear as a cautionary tale.

  "i love that raf is doing this i love it i love raf however when you got a guy like bo nickel who is right now one of the top contenders in the middleweight division"

Ilia Topuria's Skills and Weaknesses [01:35:00]

• Pimblett acknowledges Topuria's skills but believes he is too small for lightweight.
• He points to Topuria's ground game being exposed against fighters like BSD.

  "i just think he's too small for 55. i don't think he's a 55er when you have guys that are you know like your size and the benoit saint denis and these really big 55ers"

Potential April Fight and Locations [01:38:00]

• Pimblett discusses the possibility of fighting in April, potentially in Brooklyn or Miami.
• He expresses a preference for Miami over Brooklyn.

  "i wanted to fight in miami again i don't know i'm fighting in miami yeah that miami was fun place low fighting there yeah"

Peter Luger Steakhouse and Meat Consumption [01:40:00]

• Pimblett recommends Peter Luger Steakhouse in Brooklyn.
• He expresses a strong preference for meat-based meals and questions veganism in sports.

  "i don't think it's a meal unless it has meat on it yeah i agree yeah i just don't understand that you can be a vegan"

Supernatural Lager and Metric System [01:42:00]

• Pimblett introduces Supernatural Lager, highlighting its low calories and vitamin content.
• He comments on America's reluctance to adopt the metric system.

  "supernatural lager it's only 89 calories but still 4.4 but yeah let me talk it i feel like stone cold steve austin cheers here we go"

Business and Drinking Culture [01:44:00]

• Pimblett discusses the Japanese business culture where drinking is integral to negotiations.
• He contrasts this with his preference for friends who are fun when drunk.

  "the thing that's what most business meetings are though aren't they most business meetings people think oh you sit around and say let's get in your face with each other"

Liverpool Community and Humble Beginnings [01:46:00]

• Pimblett talks about his lifelong friendships and strong ties to his Liverpool roots.
• He believes the close-knit community helps keep him humble.

  "all my all my close friends there's about eight nine of us i've known them since i was like five six years old"

Anfield Stadium and Event Potential [01:48:00]

• Pimblett reiterates his dream of fighting at Anfield, discussing its capacity and potential for an event.
• He suggests creative solutions for weather, like umbrellas, for an outdoor fight.

  "anfield how big is this the stadium on a day of football it's like 67 000 but then that's obviously without the floor seats what you'd have with the pitch"

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and Futuristic Technology [01:50:00]

• Pimblett discusses the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid and its innovative retractable grass system.
• He imagines the possibility of hosting an MMA fight there.

  "the bernabou when he said he said like the bernabou he said it's something like that but that's ryan madrid's football stadium oh okay"

Conor McGregor's Impact on MMA [01:55:00]

• Pimblett acknowledges Conor McGregor's significant impact on the mainstream appeal of MMA.
• He recalls the intense atmosphere during McGregor's fights, particularly in Las Vegas.

  "he changed our sport forever he did he changed the sport forever he he's like there's a few characters in history that have elevated"

Khabib Nurmagomedov's Press Conference and Discipline [01:58:00]

• Pimblett highlights Khabib Nurmagomedov's memorable press conference before his fight with McGregor.
• He contrasts Khabib's disciplined madness with McGregor's wild persona.

  "all irish fans you know all irish fans you know all fans around the world because of you guys this fight is happening thank you guys"

Texas Weed Laws and Politics [02:01:00]

• Pimblett expresses disinterest in politics but notes the impact of Texas's strict weed laws.
• He believes these laws may have contributed to election losses.

  "the willies is legit the willies is legit i don't know how legal or illegal it is in this goofy ass is it it's a problem for now"

Upcoming Fights and Cyril Gane's Challenge [02:03:00]

• Pimblett discusses upcoming fights, expressing curiosity about the Cyril Gane vs. Josh Parisian bout.
• He highlights Gane's unique athleticism and striking skills.

  "i'm very curious to see what happens with hokit and gone because in my my personal opinion is that gone is a very unique challenge"

Johnny Walker's Move to Heavyweight [02:05:00]

• Pimblett suggests Johnny Walker should have always been a heavyweight.
• He believes Walker's natural size and athleticism will be advantageous at heavyweight.

  "i think johnny walker should have been heavyweight the entire time yeah he's probably been cutting a lot of weight to get to 205"

Oblique Kicks and Career-Ending Injuries [02:08:00]

• The conversation addresses the controversial oblique kick and its potential to end careers.
• Pimblett believes such techniques should be part of fighting, while acknowledging the risk.

  "the problem is it ends careers it can change your career forever tiago santos against john jones never the same again"

Eye Pokes and Rule Enforcement [02:10:00]

• Pimblett argues for stricter penalties for eye pokes, suggesting immediate point deductions or disqualifications.
• He recounts instances of intentional eye pokes and the lack of severe consequences.

  "i think there should be a non-negotiable one should just get a point straight away so yeah second on the second eye poke you're disqualified"

Josh Hagin's Mouthpiece and Odd Habits [02:13:00]

• Pimblett expresses confusion over Josh Hagin's unusual mouthpiece usage during sparring.
• He questions the effectiveness and safety of Hagin's habit.

  "i was watching the countdown show and he's sparring and he doesn't have his mouthpiece in he's got his mouthpiece but he's biting down on it like this"

Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria and "Fate" [02:15:00]

• Pimblett discusses the Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria fight, suggesting it was Topuria's "destiny" to lose.
• He believes Topuria's aggressive second round cost him the fight.

  "you think so yeah that was it seemed like it was destiny to do that it seemed like it was an amazing moment"

Fighter Conditioning and "Gassing Out" [02:18:00]

• Pimblett shares his experience of "gassing out" in fights and the importance of pacing.
• He uses his fight against Tony Ferguson as an example of pushing too hard too early.

  "i remember in between two and three being like to paul and that i'm tired you you know right like i'm tired here"

Marat Magomedov vs. Petr Yan and Control [02:21:00]

• Pimblett discusses the Marat Magomedov vs. Petr Yan fights, criticizing Magomedov's lack of control despite numerous takedowns.
• He argues that dominance on the ground, like Islam Makhachev's against Dan Hooker, is more impressive.

  "i think that them up in that third fight with jan really first two rounds you come out too aggressive and to shoot and take down constantly and he looked tired to me in the fourth round"

Training Camps and Nutritionists [02:24:00]

• Pimblett highlights the importance of his nutritionist and S&C coach, Paul Reed, in his fight camps.
• He credits Reed with revolutionizing his weight-cutting process.

  "paul reid my nutritionist my s and c coach does all our weight cuts with us you know what i mean does all my food oh that's that's convenient"

Morales' Weight Cutting and Athleticism [02:27:00]

• Pimblett discusses the extreme weight cuts of fighters like Jailton Almeida, who cuts significant weight to fight at heavyweight.
• He expresses admiration for Almeida's athleticism and striking.

  "the freaks me out the most right now is morales you know he's making 170 he's weighing 226."

Process's Striking Prowess and Fight Record [02:30:00]

• Pimblett praises the striking ability of "The Process" (likely referring to a fighter like Khamzat Chimaev or another striker).
• He notes the fighter's extensive experience in Thailand.

  "he fought over a hundred times in thailand while he lived there so he's constantly fighting so if you think a hundred fights in five years is nuts"

Welterweight Division and Knee Injuries [02:32:00]

• Pimblett discusses the welterweight division, mentioning Shavkat Rakhmonov's knee injury.
• He expresses doubt about oblique kicks being made illegal.

  "the only thing with welterweight is what about shaft cut right apparently he's still struggling with his knee"

12-to-6 Elbows and Referee Decisions [02:34:00]

• Pimblett questions the illegality of 12-to-6 elbows, attributing it to a "karate board."
• He discusses controversial referee decisions, like the Shogun Rua vs. Machida fight.

  "i think the 12 to 6 elbows ever should have been illegal ever you know why that was illegal though right yeah because of the karate board"

Jon Jones' Career and Dominance [02:36:00]

• Pimblett reflects on Jon Jones' career, acknowledging his dominance but also the controversial Dominick Reyes fight.
• He notes Jones' incredible strength and grappling skills.

  "john jones should be undefeated undefeated that's another place i watched last except for the dominic reyes fight"

Favorite Fighters and MMA Origins [02:39:00]

• Pimblett shares his favorite fighters growing up, including Big Nog and Rampage Jackson.
• He recounts how he got into MMA after watching Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida.

  "when i first started watching i think it was big nog because of like pride yeah i can remember watching that fight against bob sap"

The Future of Lightweight Division [02:43:00]

• Pimblett discusses the current state of the lightweight division, calling it "crazy" but "awesome."
• He anticipates potential shake-ups with new contenders entering the mix.

  "see what happens with the lightweight division because it isn't a bit of a close to four at the minute it's a crazy division so"