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If it isn't already, Paddy Pimblett is a name that needs to be on your radar.



This past weekend, Pimblett took another huge step forward in his career when he became the Cage Warriors featherweight champion and the No. 1-ranked featherweight in the U.K. per FightMatrix.



Pimblett achieved this by defeating Johnny Frachey on Saturday night in front of a packed ECHO Arena in Liverpool, England. The devastating finish sent the arena into a frenzy as Pimblett scaled the cage and jumped into the crowd Jose Aldo-style. It was a remarkable scene, and the highlight of the young man's career thus far.



Speaking 48 hours later with a croaky voice, Pimblett still hadn't come off the high of victory.



"It was great, mate, great," Pimblett said. "It was a totally mad feeling, like, totally mad. I knew it was always going to come, though. I've always been ready and prepared for nights like Saturday night... I'm finally getting the recognition I deserve after all these years, and I'm just embracing it and going with it. It's great--it's what MMA fighting deserves.



"I just want to thank everyone that came and paid their money for their ticket. I know I'm destined to be the best, but to have them there with me, supporting me, it means everything. Those nights out aren't cheap, but 4,000 people turned out to support me and watch me become a world champion. I'm very grateful for that."



The finishing sequence that got the crowd going crazy was a bit of a rarity, as only two of the Scouser's previous 11 wins came from TKO/KO.



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Pimblett finished the fight with less than four minutes on the clock. After a failed takedown attempt, he picked himself up, and proceeded to launch himself at the veteran with a flying knee. The knee pushed Frachey off balance, and landed his back against the cage, which allowed Pimblett to sneak in big a right hand that signaled the beginning of the end.



"I've been saying it for a while that my hands are dangerous," Pimblett said. "I've been trying to use them more in my fights, but I've just been going to my grappling because it's easier. I've been saying for multiple fights that I'd be using my striking, and it turned out to be the night.



"Right before I landed the strike, I went for the sloppiest takedown of my life. I don't know why I did it; I just shook my head and got back up, and thought, 'I got to do something now.' Straight away after that, I got him, so it worked out all right."



Pimblett then described the feeling of victory and what it meant to him to do it in front of his home crowd in Liverpool.



"The atmosphere was just unbelievable," Pimblett said. "I've spoken to a few people since the event, and they'd never been to anything like it--no boxing event, no nothing, nothing compares to it. The atmosphere when I walked out and when I won was just unbelievable. I don't know if I'm ever going to beat that… actually, I know how I'm going to beat that--I'm going to bring the UFC to Liverpool, it's that simple."



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Pimblett has been given a clean bill of health aside from a few bumps and bruises. Having made the weight this time around without a problem, Pimblett said he'd remain at the 145-pound weight limit for the minute, but that a move up to lightweight might not be far off and it wouldn't be something he'd rule out.



"I didn't take no shots. I've got a sore ankle from where I was kicking his knee, but I've not got a scratch," Pimblett said. "Actually, when I jumped over the cage, I got a few scrapes on my knee and a little gash on my toe, and they aren't nice, but you crack on.



"I'm still growing--I'm not going to be a featherweight for that much longer--but while I can still make the weight, I'll carry on kicking featherweights' asses until I can't make the weight no more. I don't mind; I'll fight at 155, 145."



Having cemented his place as the top-ranked featherweight in the U.K., Pimblett hopes the UFC will now pull the trigger and give him the call. Pimblett won't be sitting by the telephone, though. He has plenty of things to keep him busy until the inevitable happens.



"I've not had anything from the UFC yet, but it's only been a few days so let's wait a little longer," Pimblett said. "The dream is to be the pound-for-pound best ever. The UFC is one of the goals on the way and I know it's going to happen. It doesn't matter when it is. I really don't mind, I'd fight on Cage Warriors for 10 more fights if I need to."