English UFC star Paddy Pimblett’s victory over American veteran Jared Gordon stunned the world — and even Joe Rogan couldn’t hide his shock in the octagon.
As referee Herb Dean held both fighters arms in anticipation of the result, Pimblett looked confident and was already celebrating.
The fight was handed to the Liverpudlian by unanimous decision and as Pimblett began his celebrations Rogan tilted his head back, shocked by the result which was dubbed a “highway robbery”.
Watch Live UFC with ESPN on Kayo. Full Fight Night Events, PPV Prelims, Ultimate Fighter Series & More. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Pimblett and Gordon’s fight was the first of UFC 282 to go to a decision, with the three judges scoring it 29-28 to the undefeated lightweight.
Pimblett’s UFC record remains unblemished with four wins in a row and it remains to be seen if Dana White will now hand the 27-year-old a ranked opponent.
Speaking post-match, the lightweight fighter was certain he was the winner and pointed to the unanimous verdict.
“Everyone’s got an opinion lad, opinions are arseholes, everyone’s got one, I know I won that fight… I deal in facts lad and I won a unanimous decision,” Pimblett said in the post-fight interview.
“Look at his face and look at mine, fights get scored on damage now.”
While he remained confident, Pimblett questioned Gordon’s grappling tactics in the final round while he nursed an ankle injury he believes could be serious.
Title fight ends in BIZARRE draw! | 01:37
Get all the latest MMA news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
“He should have tried to stay standing with me because my ankle was pretty compromised in that third round, I was worried,”
“If he had of tried to strike with me more he would have caught me more because I couldn’t move properly, I couldn’t move 100 per cent.
“I don’t know what it is, hopefully it isn’t too bad, I am hoping I don’t need surgery.”
Pimblett also responded to the criticism and said he would fight “whoever’s name is on the contract next”.
“I knew I’d won the first two, people don’t have to tell me, in the cage I thought he’d won the third,” Pimblett said.
“Everyone always thinks they have won lad… the fact is I won by unanimous decision.”
