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Paddy Pimblett has 'knocked down door' for Next Generation in the UFC

UFC ULTIMATE INSIDER COLUMN: Lightweight contender Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett has led the way for a Liverpool gym as his team-mates look to make their own impact on the biggest stage in MMA

[Paddy Pimblett has become a superstar in the UFC and his gym-mates could be next]

Paddy Pimblett has become a superstar in the UFC and his gym-mates could be next(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Having knocked down the door for his gym-mates to get into the UFC, Paddy Pimblett is also a key step closer to owning championship gold.

The Baddy, alongside Molly McCann, has led the way for the Next Generation MMA gym in Liverpool to become a significant pathway to the UFC, with Nathan Fletcher and more recently Shem Rock and Luke Riley all getting the nod from president Dana White.

Cage Warriors stand-out Riley, who is 11-0 as a pro, was only signed last week, while Rock has shone in Oktagon MMA for many years, with both now awaiting dates for their Octagon debuts.

Pimblett posted: My boys ready to take over the @UFC. Debuts coming real soon. @nextgenmmalpool take over is happening. I hope yous are ready for @shemrockbjjj and @lukerileymma.

While McCann, who retired from MMA in March, is now preparing for her boxing debut next month in Belfast, Fletcher believes the feel-good factor at Next Generation could see the gym become a significant production line for the UFC in the UK.

[Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann enjoy a training session at Next Generation in Liverpool]

Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann enjoy a training session at Next Generation in Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Bantamweight Fletcher, who made his company debut last September, said: It is good that we always get asked about the gym, how it is and the atmosphere, because it has been growing year on year.

A few years ago, we only had Paddy and Molly in the UFC. Then I got signed last year and now Shem Rock has been signed and you have got Luke Riley coming through as well.

We have always said there are going to be loads of us [in the UFC]. Paddy just knocked down the door, along with Molly, who still pops in the gym.

[Nathan Fletcher enjoys a victory over Zygimantas Ramaska on his Octagon debut last year]

Nathan Fletcher enjoys a victory over Zygimantas Ramaska on his Octagon debut last year(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Its all coming to fruition, its all starting to come true. We are a UFC gym now.

We have got multiple people across multiple weight classes in the UFC and the level on the mat is constantly rising all the time.

The gym is absolutely flying and it is just going to keep getting better. We are going to have more and more success as the years go on.

Despite Pimblett last fighting in April, when he earned an impressive win over Michael Chandler, he is also on the rise. 'The Baddy', who is 7-0 in the UFC, jumped from ninth to seventh in the 155lb division rankings this past week without having to break a sweat.

['The Baddy' goes head to head with lightweight champion Ilia Topuria]

'The Baddy' goes head to head with lightweight champion Ilia Topuria(Image: Zuffa LLC)

This had led to speculation that he is being lined up by match-makers for a title shot against champion, and long time rival, Ilia Topuria.

While El Matador could have a big clash with ex-champion Islam Makhachev next, The Baddy appears to be being positioned for a championship showdown early next year. A card that could be headlined by Pimblett and now feature a host of his gym-mates.

UP NEXT: UFC Paris, Saturday, September 6, 8pm. Frances Nassourdine Imavov headlines a middleweight cracker against Brazilian Caio Borralho.

MONEY MATCH: The leader of the Fighting Nerds Borralho (20/21) can send fans at the Accor Arena home unhappy. Odds and full UFC betting available at Betway.com

FINAL SAY: Everybody can get hurt in this game. This is the hardest job in the world. Johnny Walker gets his UFC career back on track with a big TKO win over fellow light-heavyweight Mingyang Zhang in Shanghai.

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