Apart from UFC Middleweight champion Alex Perriera and Khamzat Chimaev, Paddy Pimblett has undoubtedly been the biggest acquisition the UFC has overseen since the arrival of Irishman Conor McGregor in 2013. While there have been similarities in the rise of the two fighters in terms of the attention, they garner due to their ability to promote fights, supporters have observed a major difference between the pair.
In Conor McGregor’s second fight for the promotion, he would beat the eventual featherweight world champion, Max Holloway. Following this, in his fourth fight, he knocked out future UFC interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier viciously.
In comparison, Paddy Pimblett in his second fight submitted Rodrigo Vargas via a rear naked choke. His fourth fight, however, amassed a ton of controversy, when he won a unanimous decision victory against Jared Gordon less than a couple of weeks ago, which left fans divided.
While Pimblett was certain that his display was convincing enough to pick up the victory, the majority of the fight fans and media companies worldwide believed Gordon to have been the crystal-clear victor.
The aftermath of the victory certainly turned heads Pimblett’s way, including former two-weight world champion, Daniel Cormier.
DC is of the belief that Pimblett and McGregor cannot be compared due to the different trajectories their careers were at, at the same stage.
Daniel Cormier will not compare Paddy Pimblett and Conor McGregor!
There will never be another Conor McGregor, that’s for sure. The aura, presence, impact, and influence he exuded will be unmatched. And as much as Pimblett embodies a similar character, the comparisons need to stop, as the pair are not in the same spectrum, to begin with.
Daniel Cormier is a firm believer in the approach as well. On an episode of ‘DC & RC’, Cormier commented on why he believes the comparisons between the pair need to stop.
Cormier said:
“You know what’s crazy? When they compare him to McGregor. In McGregor’s fourth fight, he beat Dustin Poirier and then he beat Max Holloway, and then Max Holloway after losing to Conor McGregor won 12 in a row, became the champion and did what he did. We can’t really compare their accomplishments, especially in the first four fights.”
The positions the pair are in when compared to their arrival are kindred. However, the magnitude of the tasks ahead of them wasn’t so grave for Pimblett. McGregor was thrown into the deep end of the ocean and came out swimming with the sharks.
Moving forward, expect the UFC to be careful with matching opponents for Paddy Pimblett.
Also read: Sean Strickland Says There Is No Difference Between UFC Fighters and Adult Movie Stars
Has Paddy Pimblett’s stock dropped?
While there is a large proportion of the MMA community that believes Pimblett had been defeated by Gordon, the staunch supporters of the Englishman are not backing down. Neither are his promoters, the UFC.
The primary question with regard to the debacle is, has Paddy Pimblett’s stock dropped? And the answer to that is no. The moment he was announced as the victor, his value didn’t drop.
A debate will ensue concerning whether it has gone up, but one thing is for sure, and that is that his stock has not dropped. It’s blatant to see the charisma, talent, and mettle Pimblett possesses.
However, in order to attain the untapped potential, he has, the 27-year-old will have to immerse and commit himself to hone his skill. That’s the next step for the ‘Baddy’ in his quest to become world champion.
Also read: Joe Rogan Calls Conor McGregor “Extraordinary” Despite Recent Bust Up Between the Two
