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Paddy Pimblett explains why he was tapped out in BJJ tournament weeks before UFC 324

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Jan 12, 2026 12:47 AM ET

Paddy Pimblett lost his winning streak at the Next Gen MMA King of the Mat tournament over Christmas, and has now explained what happened.

The lightweight contender has been in camp for weeks as he prepares to face Justin Gaethje for the interim title at UFC 324 in Las Vegas later this month. And during the build-up, he took on a challenge from his gym in Liverpool.

Pimblett has had a lengthy winning streak in the annual challenge, but he was forced to tap out to a calf slicer in a moment that went viral on social media. And he has now uploaded a video explaining just what went on.

Paddy Pimblett explains how tricky move forced him to tap out

The clip of Paddy Pimblett tapping out to a little-known gym mate named Aaron Jordan at the annual King of the Mat challenge in Next Gen MMA was viewed countless times over the Christmas period. With the UFC on a lengthy break, it was a rare chance to see one of the sport’s biggest stars compete.

He did note before the tournament that he was not interested in competing, having already taken part in an intensive double training session that included five rounds of sparring. He is having his first UFC five rounder on January 24, and was right in the middle of camp around the time.

In his new video, he shows new footage of his submission and can be seen speaking to Jordan after the fact. “That was rough, that,” Pimblett admitted after hours of exhausting grappling following his marathon session.

“This c— had a half an hour breather while I had to go with the Polish machine,” Pimblett also joked, before revealing that his opponent used a move that isn’t allowed in the tournament to move into position for his submission.

“Then he got me into a f—ing calf slicer the c—. As I say, lad, I thought you were going for a heel hook and I was like ‘can’t heel hook in this anyway it’s sound’. Then it turned into that and I was like ‘f—‘… I’ve beat him in the final before and beat him on the way to the final so he deserves it, he got his payback.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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