Paddy Pimblett was guaranteed just £9,500 for his first two UFC fights, but the fan favourite is now being paid "f***ing big money" ahead of his fight at UFC London.
Pimblett looks to extend his UFC unbeaten run to three fights when he faces Jordan Leavitt at The O2 arena tonight. 'The Baddy' has become one of the biggest stars in the UFC despite being signed to the promotion last September, capturing the attention of fans with his bravado and exciting fight style.
The Liverpudlian signed a seven-figure deal as a brand ambassador and content creator for US media company Barstool Sports just two months after his debut win. When his second UFC fight came around, many fans were shocked that Pimblett was only guaranteed £9,500 for stepping in the cage. Pimblett has now stated he will fight on a new deal against Leavitt, whilst not revealing specifics of the contract.
"I've got a new one [contract], don't worry about that," he told ESPN. "I'm happy with this new one, this is a sound contract. I don't mind, if people want to talk about it then they can talk about it but yeah, I've got a new contract." Pimblett's manager Graham Boylan defended his fighter's original contract but insisted 'The Baddy' is being paid a lot more with his new deal.
'Everybody goes into the UFC on a standard contract," Boylan told Mirror Fighting . "There's no difference what you do, you have to go and prove yourself. I can categorically tell you now that contract's gone, that's gone - he's on f***ing big money now. It is what it is but I'm just happy for him."
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Part of the controversy surrounding Pimblett's old UFC deal was because of the fighter's inevitable star power in the promotion. The UFC London event in March drew a record-breaking £3.7million gate at The O2 arena, with Pimblett's addition on the card playing a big part in that figure. The Liverpudlian previously hinted his new UFC deal would be worth six figures when discussing the attention his old deal received.
"People are just trying to use my name for clickbait, it's mad 24/7. That's the contract, a contract is a contract and I'll get a new one soon," Pimblett said. "You sign that contract when you sign for the UFC and I'll get a new one soon that will be six figures."
