Paddy Pimblett joined the UFC in 2021, making his promotional debut on 4 September 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191 against Luigi Vendramini.

Quick Scoop: When Did Paddy Pimblett Join UFC?

Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett’s official arrival in the UFC came in late 2021, when he transitioned from Cage Warriors to the global stage of mixed martial arts.

Key Date: UFC Debut

  • Pimblett signed with the UFC after a successful run in Cage Warriors, where he had been a former featherweight champion.
  • His UFC debut took place on 4 September 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191 (also known as UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Till).
  • He fought Luigi Vendramini in a lightweight bout and won by first-round knockout, immediately boosting his hype and visibility.

So, if you’re wondering “when did Paddy Pimblett join UFC,” the practical answer fans use is his debut date: 4 September 2021 , marking his true entry into the promotion.

Why That Debut Felt So Big

  • Paddy already had a cult following from Cage Warriors, especially among UK fans.
  • His walkout, persona, and aggressive style made his first UFC appearance feel like a star-making moment, not just another debut.
  • The first-round finish against Vendramini, plus a Performance of the Night bonus, instantly justified the hype around him.

One way fans often describe that night is as the point where “The Baddy” stopped being a regional star and became a global UFC name.

Later Rise and “Latest News” Angle

Since debuting, Pimblett has continued to fight in the lightweight division and stack notable wins, picking up multiple Performance of the Night bonuses along the way. As of late 2025, he had climbed into the top tier of the lightweight rankings and secured high-profile matchups, reflecting his rapid rise from newcomer to contender. He is scheduled to fight for the interim UFC lightweight title on 24 January 2026 at UFC 324, which has turned “when did Paddy Pimblett join UFC” into a trending search again as people look back at how fast he has climbed since that 2021 debut.

Forum & Trending Discussion Vibes

On forums and social media, the conversation around Pimblett often circles back to:

  • How quickly he went from “fun new prospect” in 2021 to legitimate lightweight contender a few years later.
  • Whether his early matchmaking and finishes were ideal building blocks or overly favorable.
  • Comparisons to other UK stars like Michael Bisping or Darren Till in terms of hype, personality, and fanbase.

You’ll often see people frame it like:

“Wild to think he only joined the UFC in 2021 and now he’s headlining/co- headlining big cards.”

That contrast between his debut date and his current position is exactly why the question “when did Paddy Pimblett join UFC” keeps popping up in trending searches. TL;DR: Paddy Pimblett joined the UFC in 2021, with his first UFC fight (and widely recognized entry point) on 4 September 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191, where he stopped Luigi Vendramini in the first round.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.