Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

Paddy Pimblett’s coach roasts his own fighter at UFC London: ‘This isn’t the Ultimate Defending Championship’

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Jordan Ellis | Last updated Mar 21, 2026 4:53 PM ET

Paul Rimmer has just delivered the best corner moment of 2026 so far.

The Head Coach at Next Generation in Liverpool is best known for taking Paddy Pimblett to the top.

On Saturday, Paul Rimmer was in the corner of Shem Rock during his fight at UFC London.

Watch Paul Rimmer’s brutal corner work

Shem Rock clearly lost the first two rounds against Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady at UFC London.

The Liverpudlian’s performance led to his coach delivering some brutal corner work ahead of the final frame.

“You’re just giving the fight away,” Paul Rimmer said.

“You have to attack! This isn’t the Ultimate Defending Championship.

“You have to get in there. Look at me! You have to attack, otherwise…

“You’re two rounds down, lad. Do you understand what I’m saying to you? You wanna go in there showboating, dancing around, and throwing a couple of kicks thinking you are gonna win the round, you are not going to.

“You need to take him down and f—ing submit him, like we’ve worked on.”

"This isn't the Ultimate Defending Championship."

@paramountplus pic.twitter.com/gZAKDZNf8p
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) March 21, 2026

UFC commentator John Godden was clearly amused by Rimmer’s corner work.

“One of my favorite lines of 2026 was from Paul Rimmer in Shem Rock’s corner,” he said on the UFC London broadcast. “‘This is not the Ultimate defending Championship’. Strong words for his student.

Fans seemed to agree as footage of Rimmer delivering tough love quickly went viral on social media.

Rock enjoyed his best round of the fight after the pep talk, but he still lost it on the judges’ scorecards.

All three cageside officials had the fight 30-27 for Al-Selwady after 15 minutes of action at the O2 Arena.

Security was left scrambling when Rock and Al-Selwady kept throwing punches at the final bell.

It’s currently unclear if Paddy Pimblett’s teammate will get another shot in the UFC after losing for the second time in a row and instigating a post-fight brawl at UFC London.

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

More must-reads: