TLDR
- Luigi Vendramini was released from the UFC after going 1-3 in the promotion
- He nearly knocked out Paddy Pimblett in the first round of their 2021 fight before losing by submission
- Vendramini is publicly asking UFC President Dana White to re-sign him
- He praised Pimblett as potentially England’s best fighter but said the UFC is at a different level
- The Brazilian fighter believes his performance against Pimblett proves he deserves another chance
Sources: Yahoo Sports UK | Bloody Elbow | MMA Junkie
Luigi Vendramini left the UFC with a 1-3 record, but he believes his performance against rising star Paddy Pimblett should give him another shot with the promotion. The Brazilian fighter came close to ending Pimblett’s UFC debut in the first round, a moment he hopes UFC President Dana White remembers.
Vendramini nearly made history in September 2021 when he hurt Pimblett badly in their UFC fight. He landed heavy shots that had the English fighter in serious trouble during the opening round. Pimblett survived and came back to submit Vendramini in the first round, launching his rise to UFC stardom.
The Brazilian fighter was released from the UFC after compiling a 1-3 record inside the octagon. His lone victory came against Jessin Ayari, while he suffered defeats to Pimblett, Tony Ferguson, and Elves Brener. Despite the losing record, Vendramini believes his near-knockout of Pimblett proves he belongs in the world’s top mixed martial arts organization.
Respect for Pimblett Despite Loss
Vendramini has praised Pimblett’s skills and potential in recent interviews. He said Pimblett could be the best fighter in England right now. The Brazilian acknowledges the Liverpool native’s talent while pointing out the difference between regional success and competing at the UFC level.
“UFC is the World Cup,” Vendramini explained when discussing the gap between local competition and the promotion’s roster. He made the comparison to illustrate why success in England doesn’t automatically translate to UFC dominance. The statement shows Vendramini understands the elite level of competition inside the octagon.
Pimblett has since become one of the UFC’s most popular fighters, with a large following in the United Kingdom. He has won multiple fights since defeating Vendramini and signed a new contract with the promotion. The English lightweight has built his reputation on exciting finishes and his outspoken personality outside the cage.
Seeking Redemption and Recognition
Vendramini’s public appeal for a UFC return focuses on his competitive showing against Pimblett. He argues that nearly finishing a fighter who has become a company star demonstrates his value. The Brazilian wants another opportunity to prove he can succeed at the highest level of the sport.
The fighter has directed his message specifically at Dana White, hoping the UFC president will reconsider his release. Vendramini believes his first-round performance against Pimblett showed glimpses of what he could accomplish with more chances. Getting dropped from the roster with a 1-3 record is standard practice for the UFC, which maintains a competitive roster.
Many fighters struggle to maintain their spots on the UFC roster after multiple consecutive losses. The promotion regularly releases athletes who cannot string together wins, making room for new talent. Vendramini’s case is unusual because he’s using a loss as evidence he deserves another chance.
Vendramini continues training and competing outside the UFC while campaigning for his return. He remains active in mixed martial arts and hopes to build a case for re-signing with the promotion. The Brazilian fighter’s request puts the spotlight on whether one strong round against a popular fighter outweighs an overall losing record in the organization.
