Ali Akbar Rosady
The mixed martial arts landscape witnessed a significant shift at UFC 329, where Liverpudlian sensation Paddy Pimblett’s electrifying performance against Benoit Saint-Denis overshadowed a calamitous return for former two-division champion Conor McGregor. While Pimblett cemented his status as a major draw with a rapid submission victory, UFC veteran and analyst Matt Brown acknowledged "The Baddy’s" magnetic appeal but cautioned against prematurely anointing him as future championship material in the highly competitive lightweight division.
Pimblett, already a substantial fan favorite, entered UFC 329 with considerable anticipation surrounding his bout. His opponent, the formidable French lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis, known for his relentless pressure and grappling prowess, presented a stern test. However, Pimblett dispatched Saint-Denis with a modified D’Arce choke in a dominant display, igniting the arena. The victory, achieved in significantly less time than McGregor’s ill-fated main event appearance, arguably propelled Pimblett into the upper echelon of UFC superstardom, capitalizing on the colossal viewership drawn by McGregor’s comeback.
Conor McGregor’s much-anticipated return to the Octagon against Max Holloway, a rematch over a decade in the making, ended in disaster. Just 69 seconds into the contest, McGregor suffered a devastating knee injury, forcing a stoppage and casting a shadow over his comeback narrative. This unfortunate turn of events for the Irish superstar inadvertently amplified Pimblett’s moment. Brown, reflecting on the event during an appearance on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, emphatically stated, "Paddy stole the show. 100%. That was his night. Good for him. He lived up to the expectations. Amazing submission on BSD."
The event’s substantial viewership, largely attributed to McGregor’s star power, meant that Pimblett’s performance was broadcast to a massive global audience. His walkout, characterized by fervent crowd participation and anthemic chants, set the stage for a dramatic finish that resonated deeply with fans. Brown observed the phenomenon, drawing a parallel to a comedic principle articulated by Bill Burr. "He said the way to make it as a comedian is you go out there open up for other guys and you fcking kill it, so much that the main event guy doesn’t have a chance, and they bomb because you did so well. It just rung in my mind, that was exactly what Paddy did. He stole the fcking show, it was his night. Conor bombed and you’ve got to give it to Paddy. He f*cking did it right."
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Brown highlighted the widespread adulation for Pimblett following his win, noting, "Everybody is singing his song and dancing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that before. Everybody was loving the energy, the excitement and then he f*cking got it done the way he got it done. It’s just lightning in a bottle. It feels like Conor McGregor back in his day." This comparison to McGregor’s meteoric rise through the featherweight and lightweight divisions underscores the potential commercial magnitude of Pimblett’s current trajectory. McGregor, too, was initially met with skepticism regarding his fighting abilities, but famously silenced doubters by flattening Jose Aldo to claim the featherweight title, then conquering the lightweight division with a dominant performance over Eddie Alvarez, achieving unprecedented double-champion status.
However, it is at this juncture—the transition from popular draw to legitimate title contender—that Brown expresses significant reservations about Pimblett. While acknowledging his undeniable star power and recent impressive win, Brown remains unconvinced about Pimblett’s long-term championship prospects in a division renowned for its depth and talent. "I’ll tell you, I know I’ll take a lot of shit on this but skill wise, I’m still just not sold on Paddy yet," Brown stated, clarifying, "I hope he proves me wrong. I’m not trying to be Debbie Downer, or a f*cking a**hole over here, but I’m just not sold on him. We’ll see. I hope he proves me wrong."
The lightweight division (155 lbs) has long been considered the most talent-rich and competitive weight class in mixed martial arts. The current landscape is populated by elite-level fighters, many of whom possess diverse skill sets and extensive championship experience. Islam Makhachev currently holds the undisputed lightweight title, with a formidable list of contenders vying for a shot. These include former champions like Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier, the reigning BMF title holder Justin Gaethje, and rising stars such as Arman Tsarukyan. Ilia Topuria, though currently the featherweight champion, has a well-documented rivalry with Pimblett and represents another formidable potential opponent, even if not directly in the lightweight title picture.
Pimblett’s professional record stands at 21 wins and 3 losses. Within the UFC, he holds a record of 6 wins and 1 loss. His sole defeat under the UFC banner came via a controversial unanimous decision against Jared Gordon at UFC 282, a bout that many observers and media outlets scored in favor of Gordon. This contentious result, rather than a hypothetical loss to Justin Gaethje, contributes to the lingering questions about Pimblett’s overall skill ceiling against top-tier competition. Gaethje, for his part, is not the current lightweight champion and has not fought Pimblett, but remains a top contender whose relentless pressure and striking power have posed significant challenges to numerous elite fighters. The path to a title shot for Pimblett would necessitate navigating a gauntlet of these high-caliber opponents.
Brown admitted to similar skepticism regarding McGregor in his early days, but distinguished between the two fighters. "Maybe I have a little bit of pessimism in me or non-belief, maybe more than I should have, but I didn’t believe in Conor either back in the day," Brown reflected. "But it kind of feels the same way with Paddy. The difference is we have seen Paddy, he got beat up pretty bad by [referencing previous tough fights like the controversial Gordon bout]. I think we have a better idea of what his level is. The dude f*cking got it done against BSD. That’s a tough fight, and the way he did was absolutely impressive. Good for him."
The ultimate distinction, according to Brown, lies in their respective athletic ceilings. "The tough part for Paddy, I just don’t think he has the ceiling that Conor had. He might do great things. He might totally prove me wrong. Conor was double champ. Do you think Paddy would be double champ, ever? I have a hard time believing that. Star power wise, he certainly felt like he stole the show, and it felt like it was passing of the torch but you’ve got to live up to it, too. You’ve got to do big, amazing things. You’ve got to win a title at least and that’s not looking so great for Paddy right now."
While Pimblett’s performance at UFC 329 undoubtedly solidified his commercial appeal and endeared him further to a burgeoning fanbase, the road to championship gold in the UFC lightweight division remains one of the sport’s most arduous journeys. The coming months will determine whether "The Baddy" can not only maintain his electrifying star power but also develop the technical prowess and tactical acumen required to overcome the division’s elite and potentially prove Matt Brown’s championship doubts unfounded.
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