Paddy Pimblett debuted a new cornrow hairstyle during his UFC 296 victory over Tony Ferguson, a change from his iconic floppy blonde hair, which he explained was both a tactical decision to avoid distractions in the fight and a preference he had from video games, while also hinting at a more disciplined approach to his fitness and teasing a potential return to the octagon in July after the birth of his first child.
Paddy Pimblett turned heads at UFC 296. His new look? A stark contrast from before.
Gone was his floppy blonde hair, a nod to Liverpool and The Beatles. Instead, Pimblett sported cornrows for his bout with Tony Ferguson. And guess what? He clinched a unanimous decision win.
Post-fight, Pimblett spilled the beans on his hairdo change. “It’s hilarious,” he began. “I’d always slap cornrows on my video game characters.” But there’s more to it. He was tired of every little punch making his hair fly, leading fans to think he was rocked. “Not at all,” he assured.
The cornrows weren’t just for show, though. They kept his hair out of his eyes, helping him keep his chin down. A sneaky little tactic, eh?
At UFC 296, Pimblett shone. Was it the cornrows, his evolving skills, or Ferguson’s fade? Hard to say. But Pimblett’s grappling was on point, leaving Ferguson struggling to find an answer.
Pimblett’s also been hitting the gym harder. “Never hitting 210 pounds again,” he vowed. After previous wins, he’d indulged a bit too much. This time, he’s capping at 190, despite what his chuckling coaches might think.
Fresh off a major win and free from injury, Pimblett’s star is rising. But don’t expect to see him at UFC 300 in April. He’s got a baby on the way and won’t miss the birth for anything. Maybe we’ll catch him in Manchester come July, just a stone’s throw from his home.