Paddy Pimblett won a pre-fight wager with Daniel Cormier and walked away $1,000 richer ahead of UFC 329. The friendly bet added an extra side storyline to Pimblett's fight week.
Paddy Pimblett arrived at UFC 329 fight week with an extra $1,000 in his pocket after collecting on a pre-fight wager made with commentator and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier. The friendly side bet became one of the more entertaining storylines surrounding the Liverpool lightweight in the days leading up to the July 11 event.
Pimblett, 31, enters UFC 329 ranked sixth in the lightweight division with a professional record of 23-4-0. Fighting out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool, "The Baddy" has built a reputation as one of the most entertaining fighters in the 155-pound weight class, landing an impressive 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy while also averaging 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a figure that underscores his persistent grappling threat on the ground.
Cormier, now 47 and long retired from active competition, remains a prominent presence in the sport through his broadcasting work. The former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion compiled a career record of 22-3-0, and his credentials as a two-division titleholder give any opinion he offers — including apparently his wager selections — significant weight among fans and fighters alike. It appears this time, however, his read on the situation cost him a thousand dollars.
Why it matters
- The bet adds a lighthearted human element to Pimblett's UFC 329 fight week buildup
- Pimblett's rank of sixth in the lightweight division means every performance carries direct implications for the title picture
- Cormier's involvement keeps a high-profile media personality linked to one of the division's most talked-about fighters heading into the event
Saturday, July 11, 2026
