Paddy Pimblett Collects $1,000 from Daniel Cormier After Cup Bet
**Paddy Pimblett** pocketed a $1,000 cash payment from UFC Hall‑of‑Famer Daniel Cormier on 8 July 2026, after the United States were eliminated from the World Cup by Belgium, settling a bet made before the knockout stage.
Cormier, who was covering the tournament for a sports network, wagered that the U.S. would defeat Belgium in the Round of 16. He was confident after the U.S. beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2‑0 in the previous round. The bet was casual, but Cormier’s confidence turned into a promise when the Americans fell 4‑1 to the Belgians.
The two fighters ran into each other in Las Vegas while both were preparing for UFC 329 at T‑Mobile Arena. Cormier handed Pimblett a folded $1,000 bill, captured on video that the UFC later posted. “Sh*t! Bro, I owe you money. I owe you $1,000,” Cormier said, laughing as he handed over the cash.
The cash‑in comes just days before Pimblett returns to the Octagon in the co‑main event against Benoît St. Denis. After his first UFC loss to Justin Gaethje earlier this year, the Liverpool‑born fighter is eager to bounce back. The friendly wager highlights his growing profile in the sport and his rapport with veteran commentators like Cormier, who will be in the broadcast booth for the same card.
Pimblett steps into the cage on 11 July 2026, hoping to avenge his recent setback. Cormier, meanwhile, shifts from commentator to pundit, still offering bold takes-he recently claimed MLS could overtake the English Premier League if top American athletes chose soccer over basketball or football. Their brief cash‑exchange adds a human‑interest angle to the UFC 329 buildup, reminding fans that fighters often share moments beyond the fight‑night lights.
The United States entered the knockout stage after a solid group‑stage showing, then dispatched Bosnia and Herzegovina 2‑0. The loss to Belgium, however, ended their run, leaving the nation out of the quarter‑finals. The upset turned Cormier’s confident prediction into a $1,000 lesson, which he promptly paid.
The $1,000 hand‑off may be a small footnote in World Cup history, but for Paddy Pimblett it’s a quirky reminder that his name now pops up in conversations far beyond MMA. As the Las Vegas crowd prepares for another night of high‑octane fights, the cash‑filled moment adds a dash of humor to the pre‑fight hype.