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Paddy Pimblett to face Jared Gordon in UFC pay-per-view debut

Popular English lightweight Paddy Pimblett will face Jared Gordon at UFC 282 on Dec. 10, the promotion announced Saturday.

Pimblett (19-3) has been eyeing the UFC 282 date since his last fight in July. The 27-year-old has fought in Las Vegas previously, but never with a crowd. His UFC debut took place at the Apex facility in Las Vegas in front of a limited audience. His past two fights were at the O2 Arena in London.

The Liverpool native has developed a massive following in just three UFC appearances. A former Cage Warriors champion in the U.K., Pimblett has finished all three of his UFC opponents, including two inside the first round. He submitted Jordan Leavitt in the second round in July.

Pimblett will face an experienced fighter in Gordon (19-5), who has been fighting professionally since 2011. Gordon, 34, signed with UFC in 2017 and has compiled a 7-4 record. One of his losses came against former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in 2019. All but one of his UFC wins came via decision.

UFC 282 takes place at T-Mobile Arena, and the pay-per-view will air on ESPN+.