Paddy Pimblett’s former rival called for his own technique to be banned after horrific 22-second KO

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated Dec 5, 2025 1:04 PM ET

On this day five years ago, an incredibly rare knockout was produced at the UFC Apex.

Paddy Pimblett is confident that the judges won’t be needed for his upcoming return at UFC 324 on January 24.

‘The Baddy’ is set to face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in the main event, which has prompted a lot of discussion.

It has been argued ever since he arrived in the UFC that Pimblett was being given an easy route to the top after beating every man that the promotion has put in front of him.

While his next fight will be against arguably the most exciting fighter in the history of the promotion, the Brit has taken on some foes that have some impressive highlights under their belts.

Is Paddy Pimblett’s UFC record strong enough to deserve a title shot?

Opponent	Method of Victory
Michael Chandler	TKO
King Green	Submission
Tony Ferguson	Decision
Jared Gordon	Decision
Jordan Leavitt	Submission
Kazula Vargas	Submission
Luigi Vendramini	KO

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Jordan Leavitt retired Matt Wiman with a brutal slam knockout at UFC Vegas 16

In his third UFC win, Paddy Pimblett submitted Jordan Leavitt in front of a crowd in London that went crazy for the rising lightweight star.

His third consecutive finish inside the Octagon proved that he was ready to take the next step up, resulting in his controversial win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282.

Before Leavitt was on the wrong end of a bizarre celebration, the American had announced himself in the division by producing a devastating knockout on his debut.

Justin Gaethje has 6 finishes inside the UFC Octagon, while Paddy Pimblett has 5. Whose highlight reel is better?

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Just ten seconds into the opening round of his matchup with Matt Wiman on December 5, 2020, Leavitt went for a double-leg takedown that resulted in his opponent grabbing hold of him and latching on.

Wiman was then carried over to his foe’s corner before being slammed to the mat, knocking him out cold.

Leavitt thankfully refrained from throwing any more strikes after the impact and a sickening thud, which led Wiman to retire following the final fight on his contract.

In an interview with TMZ after the fight, Leavitt called slams in MMA “ugly” and “dangerous”, explaining why he did it despite being in favor of them being banned to make the sport safer and more “artful”.

“But, when you’re out there, when you’re in that cage you have to decide, ‘Am I going to pay rent tonight? Or am I going to have to downgrade to my house, and have to put my family in an unstable position?’ I feel like any person would do what I did in that situation. And, I did what I have to do.”

Dana White was spoiled for choice when picking bonus winners at UFC Vegas 16

Jordan Leavitt’s slam knockout obviously earned him a Performance of the Night bonus at UFC Vegas 16.

The other $50,000 checks went to Gabriel Benitez for his knockout of Justin Jaynes while Marvin Vettori and Jack Hermansson got Fight of the Night for their main event clash.

At the post-fight press conference, Dana White revealed that he’d also be “taking care” of two other fighters that delivered impressive finishes.

Both Jamahal Hill and Ilia Topuria would go on to become UFC champions after recording knockouts five years ago on this day.

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

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