Paddy Pimblett’s stardom took a big leap at UFC 329. | 📷:
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Ever since the conclusion of
UFC 329, all the talk has been focused on Conor
McGregor. About how he’s finished. About how he was allegedly
injured entering the event and stuck it to everyone that watched.
About how wasted the prime of his career abusing his body outside
of the cage. Some of those things I agree with, some of those
things I think there’s more to the story. Regardless, there’s more
than enough articles out there focusing on McGregor blowing out his
knee just seconds into his contest with Max
Holloway. I doubt I’d be offering anything new to the
conversation.
That said, I find it appropriate to at least make mention of him as
the door officially closes on being a significant figure in mixed
martial arts. That’s because there’s a very good possibility down
the road that we’ll remember UFC 329 as the night Paddy
Pimblett officially arrived as a star. In the entirety of the
big picture, I think he’ll partially have McGregor to thank for
that.
While I had little faith we were going to get a quality performance
from McGregor, I also knew there wouldn’t be a shortage of people
who tune in to UFC 329. Even as many of us within the MMA community
know that McGregor stopped being an elite fighter a while ago, his
name value was still enormous to the public; that he would still be
able to draw more eyeballs than anyone else. And while McGregor
wishes there were less eyeballs, it will prove to be very
beneficial for Pimblett that so many were watching.
Why UFC 329 could be remembered for Paddy Pimblett, not Conor
McGregor
As embarrassing as the performance was for McGregor, it was that
good for Pimblett. Maybe better. After all, his contest with
Benoit St.
Denis was officially shorter than McGregor’s loss to Holloway.
St. Denis went in for a takedown and got his head caught in a
guillotine from Pimblett. As the Frenchman looked to escape,
Pimblett adjusted into a front choke that eventually became a
Peruvian necktie of sorts that put St. Denis to sleep. Pimblett’s
ability to stay with the choke hold as his opponent rolled was
flawless; one of the best displays of grappling seen in recent
memory. The reaction of the crowd and Pimblett’s ability to get
them to do his dance was very reminiscent of how the masses
responded to McGregor in his prime. A star-making performance.
Perhaps some would argue Pimblett was a star before the event. He’s
managed to grow in popularity — or should I say notoriety — with
every UFC appearance. His other performance earlier this year came
at UFC 324,
headlining in a loss to Justin
Gaethje. Despite losing, Pimblett managed to hang in there with
a brawling Gaethje, gaining respect from those who still doubted
him. However, given the sloppy nature of the contest, many were led
to believe Gaethje was on the decline, limiting the amount of
respect given to Pimblett. Plus, the number of fighters that can
get fans in the stands moving the way Pimblett does would be
counted on one hand, if any.
Thus, while I think that’s a fair argument, I would say that’s
dependent upon the definition of what a star is. Would a star be
someone who is amongst the Top 25 fighters in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship? Or the world? Or is it Top 50?
Top 10? Or — as I’d like to define them — is a star a name a
reasonable amount of the general population would recognize? My mom
knew the names of McGregor and Ronda
Rousey. She has no clue who Pimblett is. However, if Pimblett
can maintain the momentum he’s got going, that’s something that I
very much believe will change.
Can Paddy Pimblett become the UFC’s next Conor McGregor?
Of course, much of that will depend upon just how much the UFC is
willing to allow someone to become larger than the promotion
itself. Given the problems McGregor has provided the UFC, they’ve
been reluctant to let anyone become “too big.” Pimblett has largely
been able build his audience with minimal promotion from the UFC.
Sure, they’ve put him in favorable position with some of their
cards — not to mention favorable matchmaking — but he’s done the
heavy lifting in gaining eyeballs. If the UFC would be willing to
stretch for him in the manner they did for McGregor over a decade
ago, there’s no doubt Pimblett would be the biggest star the UFC
has had in a long time. Likely since McGregor was at his peak.
As I’m praising Pimblett, I’m aware that he isn’t McGregor. Even if
the UFC gives in and starts fully promoting Pimblett, it’s
extremely unlikely he can top McGregor’s peak. People find
knockouts to be far more thrilling than submissions and the mat is
where Pimblett makes his bones. But to be nitpicking is foolish.
His downsides aren’t nearly as significant as those of McGregor’s.
Legal issues are nonexistent with Pimblett. And while his tendency
to balloon up in between contests is concerning, there’s a
contingency that would refer to it as charming. So long as it
doesn’t impact his performance, I suppose that’s a fair assessment.
He just needs to make sure it doesn’t.
McGregor has a single fight left on his contract. There’s plenty of
speculation whether it will be fulfilled. I don’t think the UFC is
anxious to get back in bed with him again, but I also believe
McGregor is desperate to go out on a better note. You don’t get to
where he got in the sport without a major hunger somewhere inside
of him. It didn’t take a FBI profiler to understand how embarrassed
he was by the outcome. Someone who desires attention in the manner
he does didn’t even allow Joe Rogan to interview him. McGregor
will try to get that last fight. So I don’t believe this is
the official setting on his UFC career, just as it isn’t the
official beginning of Pimblett’s. Nevertheless, UFC 329 will
ultimately prove to be two ships passing in the night. McGregor’s
star is coming to port. Pimblett’s is just setting sail.Read More
