The announcement of Paddy Pimblett squaring off against former interim champion Tony Ferguson in UFC 296 left fans somewhat surprised. On the surface, it appears to be an uneven matchup, with Pimblett boasting an unblemished record in the UFC while Ferguson grapples with a recent string of losses.
Pimblett's last appearance inside the octagon was back in 2022 when he clashed with Jared Gordon. Although he emerged victorious, the outcome was met with controversy as most members of the media and fans believed Gordon should have been awarded the win.
Pimblett's absence from competition since then was due to an injury, and his return to the UFC in 2023 is highly anticipated.