Sports
Paddy Pimblett Immediately Suspended From Fighting After UFC 324 Defeat
Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett has been immediately banned from fighting after his loss to Justin Gaethje in their interim title fight at UFC 324 on Saturday night.
Paddy The Baddy was unbeaten in all seven of his UFC fights heading into the headline clash at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, his unblemished run inside the Octagon came to a decisive end as he was floored on multiple occasions by the popular American veteran during their five-round contest.
Pimblett, who lost the fight by unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards, was noticeably bleeding as he made his way back to his corner at the end of the second round. He was in such rough shape at the end of the night that he didn’t even attend the post-event press conference. UFC CEO Dana White told the assembled media that the 31-year-old had been transported to a local hospital and would not be appearing as scheduled.
In his only public post-fight comments, Pimblett told Joe Rogan:
“You live and you learn. I’m 31. I’ll be back better, simple as that. You haven’t seen the last of me.”
While Pimblett’s commitment to returning to action and getting back into the win column is admirable, it may be some time until he is back in the Octagon. Having taken significant punishment in his loss to Gaethje, Paddy is now suspended from competing.
Why Paddy Pimblett Has Been Suspended From Fighting
As is the case with every UFC card in Las Vegas, the event is overseen by the Nevada State Athletic Commission [NSAC]. Among other things, the commission is ultimately responsible for ensuring fighter safety.
Given that he was hospitalised as a result of the injuries he sustained against Gaethje, Paddy must now serve a ban from fighting. Section 467.562 of the Nevada Admin Code entitled ‘Suspension of licensee for medical reason’ states that a fighter in Pimbett’s situation “must be suspended until it is shown that he is fit for further competition.”
The suspension lasts for a minimum of 30 days and can only be lifted afterwards by a licensed doctor, who must testify that Pimblett is fit to return to action.
In practice, though, the NSAC is likely to impose a larger ban on Pimblett due to the unforgiving nature of his fight with Gaethje. The Commission does not make their medical suspensions public, but does have the power to increase Pimblett’s 30-day suspension to a maximum of 180 days. These longer bans can be lifted early, providing the commission receives a letter of clearance from a doctor.
According to Dana White, the victorious Gaethje refused to go to hospital to get checked out after the fight. While ‘The Highlight’ might have been able to swerve the UFC’s requests that he be cleared by a doctor, he won’t be able to do the same with the commission.
Justin will also serve a minimum suspension of 30 days and won’t be allowed to resume fighting without medical approval.
Why Paddy Pimblett’s Ban After UFC 324 Applies Worldwide
Although the Nevada Commission is responsible for handing down Pimblett’s suspension, the charismatic scouser will actually be banned worldwide. This is because every commission uses an approved database (often called the national registry) to check whether athletes are clear to compete.
Without exception, commissions honour each other’s medical suspensions through the database and won’t license a suspended athlete. In areas without a formal commission, the UFC acts as its own regulator but also enforces suspensions from other commissions.
The suspension means that Pimblett won’t be making a swift return to action and essentially rules him out of a comeback fight at March’s UFC London event. After the most devastating defeat of his career, though, he will likely appreciate having some time to reflect before planning his comeback bout.
