UFC star Paddy Pimblett's uncle was former Aston Villa star who 'would have been the best footballer of his generation'

UFC star Paddy Pimblett is the second sportsman in his family after his uncle, who was a "very good" footballer tipped to be one of the best of his generation.

Pimblett returns to the Octagon on Saturday night in the co-main event of UFC 329, taking on Benoit Saint Denis at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

He is hoping to bounce back from his first ever UFC defeat last time out when he was beaten by Justin Gaethje, who went on to become UFC lightweight champion with a sensational victory over Ilia Topuria at the White House card last month.

In the build-up to the bout, Pimblett has been discussing the story of his uncle Frank, who was a footballer for Aston Villa.

In a conversation which stunned former UFC champion-turned commentator Daniel Cormier, 'The Baddy' revealed his uncle's football exploits.

From Huyton, Frank played in the same England schoolboys’ side as former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Ray Wilkins.

He played a total of 11 times for Villa after making his debut at Anfield as a teenager. 'Pimmo' and also turned out for Stockport County and Hartlepool United in England.

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Telling Frank's story on the Daniel Cormier Show, Pimblett said: "My uncle did it, my dad's older brother, he played for Aston Villa's first-team when he was 16. He played for the first team, at Anfield against Liverpool in his debut."

In disbelief, Cormier replied, "Shut up Paddy!" before asking what happened to Frank.

Pimblett continued: "He was a big drinker, womanizer and ended up just falling off. He was spoken about as the next big thing in English football. My dad always says, when some players come on the tele, 'He couldn't lace your uncle's boots'.

"He's dead now. He died last year. He lived in Australia though, I only met him like twice. But everyone single person whoever mentions him, it's just like, 'Do you understand how good he was at football?'

"My dad told me all about it and told me you can't waste your talent."

What happened to Paddy Pimblett's uncle who 'wasted' promising football career

Pimblett, the older brother of the UFC star's dad, relocated to Australia in 1977 and turned out for both Brisbane City and Brisbane Strikers.

Playing in the National Soccer League, he came up against former Spurs and Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou.

Before his managerial career, which has recently taken him to Saudi Arabia to manage Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, Postecoglou was a player for South Melbourne.

Pimblett is said to be viewed as a "Queensland soccer legend” after scoring Brisbane City's first ever goal and going on to captain the team as well as winning individual honours.

Paddy Pimblett's uncle played for Aston Villa. Image: X/@MarkBoric

In a previous interview with the Fight Disciples while walking around Miami, Pimblett described his uncle as "a very good footballer" who "smashed Kevin Keegan in his debut".

Peter Reid, who won two league titles with Everton and was capped 13 times by England, is noted as saying that "the best footballer he played with was Frank Pimblett".

Pimblett was always in denial about his uncle's ability before his research and became aware that "attitude", "drinking and partying" and "womanizing" prevented him from being "the best footballer of his generation".

Pimblett Sr, who also worked in construction, passed away aged 67.