Liverpool-born featherweight contender Shem Lock recently gave a scathing assessment of his long-time teammate Paddy Pimblett, highlighting the far-reaching lessons MMA offers when it comes to betting on looks and reputation.
Shem Rock talks about Paddy Pimblett
Rock framed his comments around the idea that the most thrilling element of mixed martial arts is its ability to punish those who underestimate their opponents. Speaking to Bloody Elbow’s Kyle Diamond, Shem Rock explained:
“The best thing is that everyone doubts you. No one is going to bet on you and you keep shocking them. Patty is one of them. They move the goalposts every time. Because of his jokes, his hair, his personality, people think he can’t fight. But then he fights and proves them wrong again. That’s the beauty of MMA. It’s not necessarily the scary guy that’s going to kill you.”
Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors champion turned UFC mainstay, has combined entertaining ring entrances and an engaging social media presence with decisive performances inside the cage. Over the past two years, he has won four straight, including three by submission, showcasing his martial arts background and willingness to attack at close range. With each success came claims that Pimblett still had “unanswered questions,” but Pimblett dispatched his next challenger with equal emphasis.
Shem Rock’s rise through Europe’s premier MMA promotion laid the foundation for his transition to the UFC. After making his professional debut in 2017, Rock amassed a 12-1-1 record under the OKTAGON banner, finishing 11 opponents, including four first-round submissions, and earning a reputation as a relentless grappler and fan favorite.
Highlights included rear-naked choke wins over Jan Malak and Stefano Catakoli, and a split decision victory over Attila Korkmaz at OKTAGON 71 in May 2025. In June 2025, The Rock officially signed with the UFC, joining a group of European talent heading to the world’s leading MMA promotion. Although an official opponent has not yet been announced, The Rock has expressed a desire to face any challenger.
Paddy Pimblett’s recent UFC performance has solidified his status as one of the most exciting lightweights in the sport. In July 2024, he secured a first-round triangle choke submission of promotional newcomer King Greene at UFC 304, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus for his fifth straight win in the promotion. That momentum continued in April 2025, when Pimblett scored a third-round TKO victory over former Bellator champion Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314, further demonstrating his remarkable evolution and raising the bar for a title shot.
Riding the momentum, Pimblett’s championship aspirations appear to be within reach. Former featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria has publicly stated that Pimblett is “one fight away” from winning the lightweight title, suggesting another high-profile victory would propel him into contention. Conversely, former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has recommended that Pimblett face another top-five opponent before taking on Topuria, claiming that another win against the marquee would strengthen his preparation for a championship bout.