.png)
In a hard-fought battle that showcased both dominance and respect, Paddy Pimblett secured a commanding unanimous decision victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296, nearly securing an early finish but settling for a gritty win after three rounds.
The Liverpool-born fighter came close to an early knockout, staggering Ferguson in the opening round and launching a fierce ground assault. Despite Ferguson's resilience and scramble to survive, Pimblett maintained control, spending a significant portion of the fight dictating the pace from the top position.
The judges' scorecards unanimously favored Pimblett with all three scoring the fight 30-27 in his favor, solidifying his undefeated record in the UFC.
Pimblett, in a show of admiration for his opponent, hailed Ferguson as a legend, expressing his honor at sharing the cage with him.
"An absolute legend. Everyone give a round of applause, let’s hear it for Tony f****** Ferguson. It’s a f****** honor to share the cage with him," Pimblett praised, acknowledging Ferguson's toughness.
With constant movement from Ferguson countered by Pimblett's strategic kicks and solid striking, the early stages saw both fighters exchanging blows. Pimblett capitalized on Ferguson's high chin, landing a series of powerful shots that put the veteran lightweight down, initiating a ground assault in pursuit of a finish before the round concluded.
As the fight resumed, Pimblett returned to his grappling dominance, though Ferguson unleashed a barrage of elbows from the bottom, drawing blood from Pimblett's nose. Despite the onslaught, Pimblett maintained control, responding with relentless ground-and-pound strikes.
Entering the third round, Pimblett showed signs of fatigue but persevered, utilizing his grappling expertise to take Ferguson down once again. Though less active, Pimblett remained in control, denying Ferguson any opportunity for a late resurgence while landing punches to secure his victory.
The result marked a largely dominant performance for Pimblett, elevating his career record to 21-3, while Ferguson faced his seventh consecutive defeat, raising concerns about his future in the sport after enduring the toughest stretch of his career.