Dana White slams star after Paddy Pimblett ‘worst decision in UFC history’ fallout escalates

Jared Gordon didn’t deserve the upset win over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 282 on Saturday despite an overwhelming consensus that the judges got their scorecards wrong.

That’s the view of UFC president Dana White, who came out swinging against those who suggested Pimblett didn’t deserve to extend his unbeaten streak in the organisation. Specifically, White suggested Flash’s third-round tactics were regressive following what appeared to be two more conclusive opening rounds.

“Gordon had a horrible game plan going into that third round,” said the promoter at his post-fight press conference. “You think you won the first two rounds with the judges? How do you know that? Why go in there and throw away the third round and not go in and fight your ass off and try to win?

READ MORE: Paddy Pimblett asks ‘why does everyone hate me?’ after UFC 282 ‘robbery’ claims

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“If you think you know who won what round or whatever, you’re crazy. I’ve been doing this for 23 years. I have no f****** idea what those guys are going to do or what they’re going to say.”

White, 53, has long promoted the mantra that fighters should ‘never leave it in the hands of the judges’, though that doesn’t prevent contentious results occurring. Pimblett’s fourth straight UFC win also fell in the same week he faced criticism for his war of words against MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.

‘The Baddy’ has been a fan favourite among UFC fans since joining the company in 2021 but was widely panned for comments he made to White on his podcast slating Helwani. Following Saturday’s result, Helwani described Pimblett’s unanimous-decision victory as “one of the worst decisions in the history of the UFC.”

Videos circulated of UFC commentator and post-fight interviewer Joe Rogan looking surprised when Barstool-sponsored Pimblett was announced as the winner. Despite Pimblett’s post-fight comments that “control time doesn’t mean jack s*** anymore,” many believed Gordon’s six-and-a-half minutes in control compared to his opponent’s 35-second total was enough to swing the judges.

Pimblett may have landed five more significant strikes across the three rounds, but Gordon’s three takedowns may have been as more meaningful given Pimblett failed to record even one. Those statistics weren’t enough to convince the head honcho, however, as former Cage Warriors champion Pimblett continued his UFC streak unspoiled.

“But these are the things that happen,” White continued. “What are you going to do? Horrible game plan by Gordon. The ref let it happen and he threw the fight away… You were doing great in the fight. Go out and fight the f****** third round.”

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