A ‘reckless teenager’ misusing his confidence – the making of Pimblett

When asked about the day he first met Paddy Pimblett, Paul Rimmer doesn’t need to think long.

A 15-year-old Pimblett made her debut at Rimmer’s Next Generation Gym in Liverpool on January 20, 2010.

Rimmer tells BBC Sport, “I can remember the day I met him because he couldn’t find the gym entrance,” Rimmer says.

Thirteen years later, as he recovers from a training session with dozens of other fighters at the same gym, Pimblett is drenched in sweat.

As Pimblett’s interview with BBC Sport is being watched by young people, they nudge one another in excitement, while Luke Riley, the team’s captain, describes him as the “captain of the team.”

Pimblett is the leader among his peers and is just one step closer to achieving a career-long dream. He is no longer the kid who lacks the ability to navigate the gym.

At T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, he takes on American Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title.

For the people who knew Pimblett best, it was nothing new, despite the fact that many UFC fans had just witnessed his unshakeable confidence and vibrant personality.

He has always had a good childhood and has always had self-assurance. He made it clear what his objectives would be right away, says Rimmer.

He declared, “I’m going to be the best ever.” I’ll become a world champion. I’ll become the sport’s number one superstar. He proclaimed that right away.

Pimblett has always had a self-assured quality, but under Rimmer’s guidance and hard work he was able to use it to further his own personal convictions.

According to Pimblett, “Teenage Paddy the Baddy was reckless.”

Nad Narimani defeated Pimblett for the Cage Warriors featherweight title in 2017, before falling to Soren Bak for lightweight gold the following year.

It “made me who I am,” according to the statement. Without them, Pimblett goes on to say, “I’m probably not where I am today.”

Rimmer claims that Pimblett’s confidence was once his “main weakness” because he would disobey coaching instructions, but that he has since learned to be more alert, which has become his main strength.

Pimblett has won all seven of his fights to prepare for an interim title fight against Gaethje, who is 37. He joined the UFC in 2021.

Rimmer predicts that Paddy will play snakes and ladders for eight hours before beating me when I tell him, “I’m the best at snakes and ladders.”

He has a brilliant mind and a high IQ, but he excels because of his self-assuredness.

Jordan Henderson, the former Liverpool captain, holds the Premier League and Champions League trophies he won while leading the club during his distinguished career just down the street from Pimblett’s gym.

Pimblett has developed the qualities of leadership, work ethic, and ability to lead by example, all traits that Henderson has.

Rimmer refers to Pimblett as his “fourth coach” at the gym, along with Adam Cullen, Ellis Hampson, and himself.

“Many gyms are not teams,” he said. They are not all there to help one another. Some of them, Rimmer asserts, are merely for themselves.

“But Paddy is not one of them guys,” he said. He is instructing young people who are getting their first fight, and he is training Gaethje for his big fight.

Rimmer notes that “we’ve had kids coming in with his haircut for years,” but he leaves his ego at the door. Pimblett is a star attraction at Next Generation.

Riley, who defeated Bogdan Grad on his UFC debut in November, is an example for Pimblett, who also serves as an example for other team members.

Riley tells BBC Sport, “He’s been very important to me.”

I’m one of his main sparring partners every day at the gym.

If he returned to this facility as a champion, it would inspire the gym even more. We require the captain to have the gold.

After champion Ilia Topuria announced he would not fight until the beginning of this year while he deals with personal issues following his divorce, the UFC decided to hold the interim title fight with Gaethje.

Although some fans and experts have questioned whether Pimblett deserves a title win, it was unavoidable for him and for those who were close to him.

Through his self-assurance, perseverance, and leadership, he has been demonstrating it for years.

There is no point in being anxious when you know you’re going to win, according to a saying I have. What then is “pressure”? Pimblett asserts.

On Sunday, at 3:00 GMT, live text commentary for UFC 324 will be available on the BBC Sport website and app.

Main card from 02: 00:

Preliminary card from 00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00: