Turning up at Paddy Pimblett’s gym and asking for a spar sounds brave on paper.
Actually stepping onto the mat with him is a very different experience.
One influencer found that out the hard way after deciding to test himself against the UFC star at Liverpool’s famous Next Generation gym — and it ended about as badly as you’d expect.
Pimblett has built a reputation for being one of the most entertaining personalities in MMA, but behind the jokes and viral moments is a fighter who lives for hard rounds. Whether it’s preparing for the biggest nights in the UFC or simply welcoming visitors into the gym, “The Baddy” rarely seems to switch off.
This latest clip quickly exploded online after social media personality Dean Alex accepted a challenge from one of his followers to spar with the Liverpool fighter.
What followed was chaos.
Alex came in swinging and, to his credit, didn’t freeze under the pressure. He even landed a couple of shots early on as he tried to overwhelm Pimblett before the UFC lightweight could settle into a rhythm.
That approach lasted all of a few seconds.
Once Pimblett turned the intensity up, the entire dynamic changed instantly. The UFC fan favourite began stalking the influencer across the mat before chasing him through the gym and into the crowd gathered around the session.
The scene became even more ridiculous when Alex ended up sprinting towards a nearby window before throwing up from exhaustion after the exchange.
For all the humour surrounding the moment online, it was also a reminder of the gulf between a trained UFC contender and somebody stepping in for a social media challenge.
Pimblett may be known for his personality outside the cage, but inside a gym environment, he remains one of the most dangerous lightweights in the sport.
And after suffering the first UFC defeat of his career earlier this year, there is clearly extra intensity behind his training right now.
The Liverpudlian headed into UFC 324 riding huge momentum after winning his first seven fights under the UFC banner following his debut victory over Luigi Vendramini back in September 2021.
That streak finally came to an end in January when Justin Gaethje defeated him by unanimous decision in Las Vegas.
It was a landmark moment in Pimblett’s career.
Not only was it his first UFC loss, but it was also his first defeat in professional MMA since September 2018. Despite the setback, many fans felt the fight showed another side to Pimblett’s game, with the 31-year-old managing to go the distance against one of the most feared fighters in the division.
Before facing Gaethje, Pimblett had most recently stopped Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in Miami in April 2025, adding another huge name to his growing resume.
Now attention is already turning towards what comes next.
Pimblett has hinted that he could return during International Fight Week in Las Vegas on July 11, and fans are already trying to work out who he could face.
Featured image credit: Dean Alex / TikTok
