Hey guys! So, you're probably wondering, "Is Paddy Pimblett in UFC 3?" It's a super common question, especially with "The Baddy" blowing up in the real UFC. We all love jumping into our favorite fighting games and recreating those epic matchups or maybe even settling some scores ourselves. When a fighter starts making waves like Paddy has, it's natural to want to see them in the virtual octagon. So, let's dive deep and figure out if "The Baddy" made it into the EA Sports UFC 3 roster. Get ready, because we're going to break down everything you need to know about Paddy Pimblett and his virtual presence, or lack thereof, in UFC 3. We'll look at when the game was released, the typical process for adding fighters to the roster, and why some fighters might be included and others not. Plus, we'll talk about how you can get your fighter fix with "The Baddy" even if he's not officially in the game. Stick around, because this is going to be interesting!

The UFC 3 Release and Roster

Alright, let's talk about EA Sports UFC 3. This game dropped back in February 2018, a good few years ago now, right? Now, when a game like this comes out, the roster of fighters is usually locked in pretty close to the release date. EA Sports has to do a ton of work – getting likenesses, stats, move sets, and all that jazz for each fighter. Think about it, guys: that's a massive undertaking! So, the fighters you see in the game are generally the ones who were prominent or had recently signed with the UFC around the time the development team was finalizing everything. This is super important because it explains why some fighters are in and some aren't. Paddy Pimblett, while a known name in the UK MMA scene for a while, really started gaining significant mainstream UFC traction after UFC 3 was already out and about. His debut in the actual UFC was in September 2021, which is quite a bit later than the 2018 release of UFC 3. This time gap is the primary reason why you won't find "The Baddy" chilling in the EA Sports UFC 3 game. The developers just wouldn't have had the information or the opportunity to include him in the game's roster before it was released to the public. It's all about timing, you know? They plan these games way in advance, and by the time Paddy was a household name in the UFC world, the development cycle for UFC 3 was long over. So, unfortunately, for fans looking to play as Paddy in that specific game, you're out of luck.

Why Wasn't Paddy Pimblett Included?

So, we've touched on it a bit, but let's really hammer home why Paddy Pimblett wasn't in UFC 3. The biggest factor, as we mentioned, is the release date of the game versus the fighter's rise to prominence. EA Sports UFC 3 came out in early 2018. At that time, Paddy Pimblett was still fighting primarily in regional promotions like Cage Warriors, where he was a significant star, but he hadn't yet made the jump to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His UFC debut didn't happen until UFC 267 in September 2021. That's nearly four years after UFC 3 hit the shelves! For game developers, especially for a title like EA Sports UFC 3, the roster is usually decided and implemented well in advance of the game's launch. They need time to scan fighters, record their movements, develop their unique fighting styles, and balance their stats within the game. By the time Paddy was a bona fide UFC prospect and then a rapidly rising star, the development for UFC 3 was long complete, and work would have already been starting on subsequent UFC titles (like UFC 4, which does feature him). It's not a case of the developers snubbing "The Baddy" or anything like that; it's purely a matter of timing and the development cycle of video games. They can't just magically add a fighter mid-development, especially not one who isn't even under contract with the promotion the game is based on yet. Think of it like this: if a movie is filmed and edited, they can't just decide to add a new character who only became famous after filming wrapped, right? It's the same principle. So, while it's a bummer for us fans who wanted to "Baddy bomb" our way to victory in UFC 3, the timeline just didn't line up. It's a common issue with sports games; they always try to feature the most relevant athletes at the time of release, and Paddy's UFC journey really kicked off after UFC 3's era.

What About Other UFC Games?

Okay, so we've established that Paddy Pimblett isn't in UFC 3. But don't despair, fight fans! "The Baddy" has made his way into the UFC gaming world. The question then becomes, which games? The most logical place to look is the next iteration, EA Sports UFC 4. And guess what? Yep, Paddy Pimblett is a playable character in EA Sports UFC 4! He was added as part of a post-launch update, which is a much more common way for newer stars to be incorporated into existing games. This allows developers to react to the growing popularity of fighters and add them to the game without needing to wait for the next full release. UFC 4 came out in August 2020, and Paddy's UFC debut was in September 2021. So, while he wasn't in the game at launch, his subsequent performances and growing fanbase made him a prime candidate for inclusion later on. He was officially added to UFC 4 in December 2021, following his impressive debut win. So, if you want to experience "The Baddy" in a virtual octagon, UFC 4 is your go-to game. You can pick him, use his signature move set, and maybe even recreate some of those iconic knockouts he's known for. It's fantastic that EA Sports keeps the games updated and adds popular fighters like Paddy, ensuring the virtual roster stays as current and exciting as the real-life UFC. So, while UFC 3 might be a no-go for "The Baddy," UFC 4 definitely delivers the goods. Keep an eye on future UFC games too, as fighters like Paddy continue to climb the ranks, they'll almost certainly be featured from launch in upcoming titles. It’s all about staying current and giving fans what they want, which is playing as their favorite fighters!

How to Play as "The Baddy" Today

Alright guys, so the verdict is in: you can't play as Paddy Pimblett in EA Sports UFC 3. But, as we just covered, you absolutely can play as him in EA Sports UFC 4! If you're itching to get your hands on "The Baddy" and throw down in the virtual octagon, your best bet is to grab UFC 4. It's readily available on most current-gen consoles and PC. Once you have the game, you'll typically find him in the lightweight division. He's known for his exciting fighting style, his ground game, and of course, his signature celebrations, so playing as him in the game should capture that "Baddy" essence. You can look him up, select him, and start racking up those wins. It's the perfect way to get your MMA gaming fix with one of the most talked-about fighters in the UFC right now. Remember, the gaming world often catches up to the real-world sports scene through post-launch updates. Developers listen to fan demand and recognize when a fighter's popularity warrants their inclusion. So, even if a fighter isn't in the game at launch, there's always a good chance they'll be added later, just like Paddy in UFC 4. Don't let the absence of "The Baddy" in UFC 3 get you down. The fun is still there to be had in UFC 4, and who knows what the future holds for upcoming UFC titles? Keep those controllers charged and get ready to unleash "The Baddy" on your opponents!

Conclusion: The Timing Was Off

So, to wrap things up, the answer to "Is Paddy Pimblett in UFC 3?" is a definitive no. The main reason, as we've explored, boils down entirely to timing. EA Sports UFC 3 was released in early 2018, a period when Paddy Pimblett was still making his name in promotions outside of the UFC. His highly anticipated UFC debut didn't occur until September 2021, long after UFC 3's development cycle was complete and the game was already in players' hands. Game development timelines are extensive, and rosters are finalized months, if not years, in advance. By the time "The Baddy" was a certified UFC star, the virtual octagon of UFC 3 had already been set. However, the good news for fans is that Paddy Pimblett is a fantastic addition to EA Sports UFC 4, having been added in a post-launch update in late 2021. So, if you're looking to step into the virtual cage as "The Baddy," your target should be UFC 4. It’s a great example of how sports game developers try to keep their titles relevant by adding popular fighters as their careers take off. While UFC 3 might be a piece of MMA gaming history without him, UFC 4 lets you experience the "Baddy" phenomenon firsthand. Keep enjoying the virtual fights, guys!