“It helps me cope and relax. It gives me stimulation in a different way,” Demetrious Johnson said in a decade-old interview with Game Radar, expressing his love for gaming. Over the years, many fighters have embraced gaming as a way to unwind during grueling fight camps. Max Holloway, another well-known gamer in the MMA world, is a prime example. Both stars have built strong followings on streaming platforms. And now, Paddy Pimblett has taken things even further with something bigger.
‘The Baddy’ is also one of those fighters who loves killing time with video games. For the unversed, Paddy revealed in a GQ Sports interview last year that Football Manager is his favorite game. Much like ‘Mighty Mouse’, he also explained that gaming helps calm his mind during fight camp. That’s how the lightweight fighter’s passion grew. But who could’ve guessed that just a year later, the fan-favorite Liverpudlian would land a starring role in the Battlefield franchise?
On Instagram, Paddy Pimblett shared a clip of himself holding a skinned gun, announcing that the new Battlefield 6 trailer will drop this Saturday. In the caption, he wrote, “See why they call me The Baddy. @battlefield Live Action trailer starring me premieres this Sunday.” It’s safe to say fans were completely stunned to see him playing a role in such a massive video game franchise. However, they shouldn’t be too surprised. After all, another major UFC superstar had done it before him.
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Back in 2016, Conor McGregor played a character named Bradley Fillion in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Although it was a minor antagonistic role, seeing ‘The Notorious’ included in such a massive video game was a huge moment for both UFC and gaming fans. Conor himself even admitted he was addicted to playing games before fights. Now, Paddy seems to be following the same path.
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After the teaser dropped, it took the MMA world by storm. Fans were instantly shocked to see another UFC star step into a major gaming franchise. So, let’s see how netizens are reacting to Paddy Pimblett’s surprising Battlefield 6 debut.
Fans react to Paddy Pimblett starring in the Battlefield 6 game
One fan couldn’t contain their excitement and wrote, “This is pure class never been so hyped for a game in such a long time, let’s gooooo!!!!!” For MMA lovers, it’s going to be a real treat watching one of the sport’s biggest current stars take on a major role in a game as iconic as Battlefield, which is played by millions worldwide. Another user added, “Was not expecting to see Paddy in Battlefield 6,” a reaction that perfectly sums up how most fans are feeling. ‘The Baddy’ truly shocked everyone.
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Then came another hilarious comment, “Scousers don’t get headshot,” which was a clever spin on Paddy’s iconic line, “Scousers don’t get knocked out.” Then, it was quickly followed by a fan already getting hyped to try the game, writing, “Might have to play Battlefield now.” That alone shows how having a popular UFC star in a game can skyrocket its appeal. Interestingly, another fan wrote, “This gives me COD vibes,” possibly referencing how Conor McGregor was part of Call of Duty before Paddy’s Battlefield debut.
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One fan even used the moment to drop a meme, commenting, “WE GOT PADDY IN BATTLEFIELD BEFORE GTA 6.” A great nod to the long-running joke about GTA 6’s endless delays. Another user went a step further, renaming the game from Battlefield to “Baddyfield.” All of this shows how a fighter’s personal hobby can bridge two worlds and create massive buzz among fans.
With that in mind, do you think Paddy Pimblett’s leap into a major franchise could inspire more fighters to become the face of gaming in the future? Let us know in the comments below.