Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Paddy Pimblett, Aston Villa, UFC, Ange Postecoglou
Josh Lawless
UFC superstar Paddy Pimblett's unlikely sporting connection to Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has been revealed.
One of the fastest rising stars in MMA history, Pimblett moved to 7-0 in UFC on Saturday night with a dominant victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 314.
'The Baddy' put Chandler way in the third round via TKO after brutal elbows and punches and collected a cool $50,000 (£38,000) after winning a 'Performance of the Night' bonus on top of his pay packet.
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Pimblett moved up to eighth in the UFC lightweight rankings as he continues his remarkable ascension in UFC.
But Pimblett isn't the first athlete in his family. That's because his uncle, Frank, was a promising footballer who turned out for Aston Villa when he was just 17 and made his debut at Aston Villa.
Frank, who was in the same England schoolboys’ side as Ray Wilkins, played 11 times for Villa and also turned out for Stockport County and Hartlepool United.
However he relocated to Australia in 1977 and played for Brisbane City and Brisbane Strikers, where he is fondly remembered.
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During his period playing in the National Soccer League, the midfielder played against current Spurs manager Postecoglou, who represented South Melbourne.
“I found out a couple of months ago that Ange (Postecoglou) used to play football with my uncle," Pimblett told Code Sports.
“My uncle lived in Australia for years, he’s a football legend for Brisbane – Frank Pimblett.”
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Paddy only met ‘Pimmo’ a handful of times but has heard all about his ability from his father as well as former England international Peter Reid - and was informed that "he would have been the best footballer of his generation" had he not enjoyed drinking pints and misbehaving.
Ahead of his win over Chandler, Pimblett did an interview with the Fight Disciples while walking around Miami and discussed his uncle's career.
"My uncle was a very good footballer," he explained.
"My uncle played for Aston Villa's first-team when he was 16 or 17. He smashed Kevin Keegan in his debut at Anfield.
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"I've seen Peter Reid in interviews say the best footballer he played with was Frank Pimblett. I never used to believe my dad until I saw interviews and read books about how good the Huyton schoolboys were, then I believed him.
"He's always said his attitude got in the way, and his drinking and his partying and his womanizing. He would have been the best footballer of his generation."