The drama began when footage surfaced of a sparring session at a local gym. In the clip, Paddy appears to secure a rear-naked choke on a local gym rival named Denis. Denis visibly taps to signal submission, but Paddy holds the choke attempting to put Denis to sleep before others rush in to break it up. The footage quickly circulated online, prompting strong reactions from fans and fighters alike.
Critics at first accused Paddy of breaking the unwritten rules of gym sparring, which prioritize safety and mutual respect. For many the gym is a sacred space to hone their craft without the stakes or animosity of a professional bout. Holding a submission after a tap, even momentarily, is widely considered a breach of this code.
It wasn’t until additional details emerged about the events leading up to this exchange that a clearer picture began to take shape.
The lead up to this first started with a call out video Denis recorded in his gym.
Additionally, leaked messages between Paddy and Denis provided context for the animosity. In the exchanges, Denis appeared to antagonize Paddy, suggesting that they keep their sparring session on the feet.
Regardless, Paddy got a lot of backlash for the video. He came out with a statement on IG defending his actions.
Denis would also come to Paddy’s defense after everything was said in a tweet.
You can watch the full video on X:
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