Paddy Pimblett was already a hugely popular fighter heading into UFC 329, but his stunning performance coupled with Conor McGregor's comeback ending in disaster, arguably vaulted “The Baddy†into superstar status with his win.
MMA
Matt Brown praises Paddy Pimblett after he ‘stole the f*cking show’ at UFC 329 but still not sold on him as championship material
Published
3 weeks agoon
While McGregor's fight lasted just 69 seconds after he blew out his knee, Pimblett dispatched Saint Denis in less time with a modified D'arce choke and the crowd erupted at both his walkout and his celebration in victory. Pimblett undoubtedly took a huge step forward in his career with that kind of performance, especially with huge viewership numbers for the event with so many people tuning in to watch McGregor's return to action.
“Paddy stole the show. 100%,†UFC legend Matt Brown said about his performance on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “That was his night. Good for him. He lived up to the expectations. Amazing submission on BSD.
“Paddy's done all the right things. He's saying all the right things. He's doing all the right things. He deserves everything that he gets.â€
There's no telling what would have happened if McGregor didn't suffer a devastating knee injury, but he was a sizable underdog going into his fight against Max Holloway. Even if he didn't get injured, McGregor's night could have still very easily ended in defeat.
But Pimblett didn't even have to face the Irish superstar to benefit from his presence as the main event for the same card. In fact, Brown sees a lot of similarities in how McGregor first came to fame in the UFC and now Pimblett is following the same blueprint.
“I watched, it came on randomly on Instagram, it was a little thing Bill Burr was saying about comedians,†Brown explained. “He said the way to make it as a comedian is you go out there open up for other guys and you f*cking 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 f*cking show, it was his night. Conor bombed and you've got to give it to Paddy. He f*cking did it right.
“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.â€
Of course, McGregor still had plenty of doubters as he climbed up the ranks in the featherweight division, but he proved the hype was real when he flattened Jose Aldo to become UFC champion for the first time, and then he eventually conquered a second division with a lopsided win over Eddie Alvarez.
That's where Brown suspects that Pimblett is going to run into problems as he tries to work his way towards another title shot.
Back in January, Pimblett put up a valiant effort but still ultimately lost in a slugfest with Justin Gaethje in an interim lightweight title fight. Now Gaethje is champion, and he's already said he's not interesting in running it back with Pimblett any time soon.
Former champion Ilia Topuria is probably the biggest fight possible for Pimblett outside of a title shot but that's far from an easy matchup for anybody. Toss in a mauling wrestler like Arman Tsarukyan, and a past champion like Charles Oliveira, who is still lingering in the top five rankings, and Pimblett's path to gold isn't exactly a cake walk.
“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 said. “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.â€
While lightweight has always been lauded as the best division in the sport, there are definitely times when it's been easier to earn a title shot. That's not the case right now where Pimblett is staring down a number of potentially tough fights to get there plus a past loss to the current champion doesn't help his cause.
Brown admits he had similar doubts about McGregor during his climb up the ladder, but he suspects Pimblett might run into even more problems as he chases a championship.
“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 said. “But it kind of feels the same way with Paddy. The difference is we have seen Paddy, he got beat up pretty bad by Justin Gaethje. 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.â€
“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.â€
Listen to new episodes of The Fighter vs. The Writer every Tuesday with audio only versions of the podcast available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio
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MMA
Top undefeated prospects collide in Noche UFC 4 featherweight bout
Published
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August 10, 2026

	
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		<h1>Top undefeated prospects collide in Noche UFC 4 featherweight bout</h1>
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				<a href=”/authors/Sourav-Chakraborty-1731″>Sourav Chakraborty</a>				<span>Aug 10, 2026</span>				 <a class=”comments” href=”https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Top-undefeated-prospects-collide-in-Noche-UFC-4-featherweight-bout-202289#insticator-commenting” data-page-id=”article-202289″/>			</div>
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 <div class=”content body_content”>
 <a href=”/fighter/Tommy-McMillen-229309″>Tommy
McMillen</a> will look to build on an impressive start to his
<a href=”/organizations/Ultimate-Fighting-Championship-2″>
Ultimate Fighting Championship</a> career at the next Noche UFC
event.<p>The promotion announced that McMillen (11-0) will face fellow
undefeated prospect <a href=”/fighter/Marwan-Rahiki-430352″>Marwan
Rahiki</a> (9-0) in a featherweight bout at <a href=”/events/UFC-Fight-Night-288-Noche-UFC-4-113632″>
Noche UFC 4</a> on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale,
Arizona.</p><p/><div id=”adViAi”><div class=”viaititle”>Advertisement</div></div>

<h2>McMillen, Rahiki meet in battle of undefeated prospects</h2>
<br/>
McMillen, 28, earned his UFC contract on <a href=”/organizations/Dana-Whites-Contender-Series-12411″>
Dana White's Contender Series</a> last year. He then finished his
first two opponents in the UFC, earning post-fight bonuses in both
outings. Following his recent win over <a href=”/fighter/Alberto-Montes-257203″>Alberto
Montes</a>, “Gun†called for a spot on the Noche UFC 4 card.<p>Rahiki, 24, is also 2-0 in the UFC with two finishes since winning
a contract on DWCS. He's beaten <a href=”/fighter/Oliver-Schmid-326999″>Oliver
Schmid</a> and <a href=”/fighter/Harry-Hardwick-165375″>Harry
Hardwick</a> in his first two bouts in the promotion.</p><p>The Noche UFC 4 lineup now includes:</p><p><a href=”/fighter/Jean-Silva-239947″>Jean
Silva</a> vs. <a href=”/fighter/Yair-Rodriguez-106305″>Yair
Rodriguez</a><br/>
<a href=”/fighter/Manon-Fiorot-228689″>Manon
Fiorot</a> vs. <a href=”/fighter/Alexa-Grasso-142845″>Alexa
Grasso</a><br/>
<a href=”/fighter/Joseph-Morales-123553″>Joseph
Morales</a> vs. <a href=”/fighter/Brandon-Moreno-80173″>Brandon
Moreno</a><br/>
<a href=”/fighter/Dan-Ige-136499″>Dan Ige</a>
vs. <a href=”/fighter/David-Martinez-221351″>David
Martinez</a><br/>
<a href=”/fighter/Curtis-Blaydes-172939″>Curtis
Blaydes</a> vs. <a href=”/fighter/Waldo-Cortes-Acosta-190909″>Waldo
Cortes-Acosta</a><br/>
<a href=”/fighter/Tommy-McMillen-229309″>Tommy
McMillen</a> vs. <a href=”/fighter/Marwan-Rahiki-430352″>Marwan
Rahiki</a><br/>
<a href=”/fighter/Yousri-Belgaroui-380449″>Yousri
Belgaroui</a> vs. <a href=”/fighter/Kelvin-Gastelum-74700″>Kelvin
Gastelum</a><br/>
<a href=”/fighter/Ignacio-Bahamondes-221417″>Ignacio
Bahamondes</a> vs. <a href=”/fighter/Muslim-Salikhov-129929″>Muslim
Salikhov</a><br/>
<a href=”/fighter/Edgar-Chairez-244721″>Edgar
Chairez</a> vs. <a href=”/fighter/Tim-Elliott-49213″>Tim
Elliott</a><br/>
<a href=”/fighter/Thomas-Gantt-428202″>Thomas
Gantt</a> vs. <a href=”/fighter/Drakkar-Klose-84568″>Drakkar
Klose</a><br/>
<a href=”/fighter/JJ-Aldrich-75565″>J.J.
Aldrich</a> vs. <a href=”/fighter/Regina-Tarin-396659″>Regina
Tarin</a></p><p/><center>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”>
<p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Called his shot 🗣ï¸Â</p><p><a href=”/fighter/Tommy-McMillen-229309″>Tommy
McMillen</a> is OFFICIALLY on <a href=”https://x.com/hashtag/NocheUFC?src=hash&;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#NocheUFC</a>
and will face off against <a href=”/fighter/Marwan-Rahiki-430352″>Marwan
Rahiki</a> in a huge featherweight SCRAP! Both of these fighters
are undefeated and BOTH are looking for another KO in a battle of
145lb prospects!</p><p>[ September 12 | 5pmET | LIVE on… <a href=”https://t.co/6sTjEWo0xz”>pic.twitter.com/6sTjEWo0xz</a></p>
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) <a href=”https://x.com/UFConParamount/status/2086165549130592670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>
August 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
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 <div class=”calendar-date”>
 <div>Aug</div><div>22</div><div>2026</div>
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 <b>UFC Fight Night 285</b>
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 <a href=”/events/UFC-Road-to-UFC-Season-5-Shanghai-Semifinals-113362″>
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 <div>Aug</div><div>28</div><div>2026</div>
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 <a href=”/events/UFC-Fight-Night-286-Nurmagomedov-vs-Song-113007″>
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 <div>Aug</div><div>29</div><div>2026</div>
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 <b>UFC Fight Night 286</b>
 Nurmagomedov vs. Song </div>
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 <a href=”/events/UFC-Fight-Night-287-Hooker-vs-Parnasse-113189″>
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 <div id=”autocomplete_template” data-format=”{firstname} { ";nickname"; }{lastname}” data-slaveinput=”#sample” data-slaveformat=”{id}” style=”display:none”>
 <table cellpadding=”0″ cellspacing=”0″><tr><td width=”37″ height=”37″><img data-src=”{image}” width=”32″/></td><td>{firstname} { “nickname” }{lastname}</td></tr></table>
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 <div id=”autocomplete_template_Fighter” data-format=”{firstname} { ";nickname"; }{lastname}” data-slaveinput=”#sample” data-slaveformat=”{id}” style=”display:none”>
 <table cellpadding=”0″ cellspacing=”0″><tr><td width=”37″ height=”37″><img data-src=”{image}” width=”32″/></td><td>{firstname} { “nickname” }{lastname}</td></tr></table>
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 <div id=”autocomplete_template_Event” data-format=”{name} – {title}” data-slaveinput=”#sample” data-slaveformat=”{id}” style=”display:none”>
 <table cellpadding=”0″ cellspacing=”0″><tr><td width=”37″ height=”37″><img data-src=”{image}” width=”32″/></td><td>{name} – {title}</td></tr></table>
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<!– End of Fight Finder Templates –>




 <div class=”right-module fightfinder-module” style=”min-height: 780px”>
 <div class=”yellow-title”><h3>FIGHT FINDER</h3></div>

 <form class=”right-search” action=”/stats/fightfinder” method=”get”>
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 <a class=”fow” href=”/fighter/Taila-Santos-143185″><img src=”https://www2-cdn.sherdog.com/_images/pictures/20240803021442_PFL_20240802_C2N00713_1.JPG” style=”object-position: center 15%”/><div>Taila Santos</div></a>
 <style><![CDATA[a.fow img { width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 16/5; object-fit: cover; margin-top: -5px; } a.fow div { text-align: center; margin-bottom: 10px; color: white; margin-top: 3px; font-size: 20px; font-weight :bold; text-transform: uppercase; }]]></style>
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 <h4>TOP TRENDING FIGHTERS</h4>

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 <a href=”/fighter/Ian-Garry-268923″><img src=”/image_crop/72/72/_images/fighter/1708042846Ian_Garry_ff.jpg”/><div>Ian Garry</div></a><a href=”/fighter/Cristiane-Justino-14477″><img src=”/image_crop/72/72/_images/fighter/1648258507307_20220325093502_Cris_Cyborg_ff.JPG”/><div>Cristiane Justino</div></a><a href=”/fighter/Islam-Makhachev-76836″><img src=”/image_crop/72/72/_images/fighter/1783440299898_20220401034240_Islam_Makhachev_ff.JPG”/><div>Islam Makhachev</div></a><a href=”/fighter/Usman-Nurmagomedov-296291″><img src=”/image_crop/72/72/_images/fighter/1770478355865_17703859969707f17ed2f1677833f784f797be9c03-1-1.png”/><div>Usman Nurmagomedov</div></a> </div>

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<!– Fight Finder Templates –>
<!–
 <div id=’autocomplete_template’ data-format=’{firstname} { “nickname” }{lastname}’ data-slaveinput=’#sample’ data-slaveformat=’{id}’ style=’display:none’>
 <table cellpadding=’0′ cellspacing=’0′><tr><td width=’37’ height=’37’><img data-src=”{image}” width=’32’/></td><td>{firstname} { “nickname” }{lastname}</td></tr></table>
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 <div id=’autocomplete_template_Fighter’ data-format=’{firstname} { “nickname” }{lastname}’ data-slaveinput=’#sample’ data-slaveformat=’{id}’ style=’display:none’>
 <table cellpadding=’0′ cellspacing=’0′><tr><td width=’37’ height=’37’><img data-src=”{image}” width=’32’/></td><td>{firstname} { “nickname” }{lastname}</td></tr></table>
 </div>
 
 <div id=’autocomplete_template_Event’ data-format=’{name} – {title}’ data-slaveinput=’#sample’ data-slaveformat=’{id}’ style=’display:none’>
 <table cellpadding=’0′ cellspacing=’0′><tr><td width=’37’ height=’37’><img data-src=”{image}” width=’32’/></td><td>{name} – {title}</td></tr></table>
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 <form action=’/stats/fightfinder’ method=’get’>
 <input data-groupfield=’source’ name=”SearchTxt” data-autocorrect=’false’ data-offset=”-105px 0″ type=”text” placeholder=”Search fighters / Events...” class=’search autocomplete’ data-source=’/search/fightfinder/’ data-template=’#autocomplete_template’ data-onselect=’autocomplete_select’ />
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 <h3>Top trending fighters</h3>
 <a href=”/fighter/Ian-Garry-268923″><h4>Ian Garry</h4></a> | <a href=”/fighter/Cristiane-Justino-14477″><h4>Cristiane Justino</h4></a> | <a href=”/fighter/Islam-Makhachev-76836″><h4>Islam Makhachev</h4></a> | <a href=”/fighter/Usman-Nurmagomedov-296291″><h4>Usman Nurmagomedov</h4></a> | <a href=”/fighter/Luke-Trainer-222645″><h4>Luke Trainer</h4></a> | <a href=”/fighter/Mackenzie-Dern-137171″><h4>Mackenzie Dern</h4></a> | <a href=”/fighter/Javid-Basharat-222651″><h4>Javid Basharat</h4></a> | <a href=”/fighter/Mansur-AbdulMalik-393926″><h4>Mansur Abdul-Malik</h4></a> | <a href=”/fighter/Movsar-Ibragimov-389946″><h4>Movsar Ibragimov</h4></a> | <a href=”/fighter/Joel-Alvarez-190201″><h4>Joel Alvarez</h4></a> </div>
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MMA
Luke Rockhold to face Joe Pyfer in wrestling match at RAF 13
Published
3 hours agoon
August 10, 2026
Luke
Rockhold and Joe Pyfer are
set to collide on the mat.Former UFC champion Luke Rockhold meets middleweight contender
Rockhold and Joe Pyfer are
set to collide on the mat.
Real American Freestyle recently announced that former
Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight titleholder
Rockhold will meet current UFC 185-pounder Pyfer in a catchweight
wrestling match at RAF 13 on Sept. 19 at Watsco Center in
Miami.
Former UFC champion Luke Rockhold meets middleweight contender
Joe Pyfer in a catchweight wrestling match Sept. 19 in Miami
While neither fighter is primarily known for wrestling, both bring
considerable grappling and combat sports experience into the
matchup.
Pyfer, 29, has since established himself as one of the UFC’s most
promising middleweight contenders. A
Dana White's Contender Series signee, Pyfer has won four
straight fights and owns a 7-1 record since joining the UFC in
2022. Most recently, he finished former UFC champ Israel
Adesanya earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Rockhold is looking to register his first victory under
the RAF banner. The 41-year-old made his promotional debut in
January, losing to Colby
Covington. He has remained active across several combat sports
since leaving the UFC in 2022, competing in bare-knuckle boxing,
karate, jiu jitsu and boxing.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke
Rockhold takes on MMA standout Joe Pyfer SEP
19 in Miami at #RAF13Tickets in bio. Watch on @foxnation
pic.twitter.com/VCtb2tH32z— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA)
August 9, 2026
MMA
Carlos Prates predicts big upset in UFC 330 headliner between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry
Published
6 hours agoon
August 10, 2026
Trending:
Conor McGregor didn't want to fight at UFC 329, says Din Thomas
Zuffa LLCCarlos Prates believes that Islam Makhachev will be leaving Philadelphia without the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Makhachev's 170-pound gold will be at stake when he collides with Ian Machado Garry in the UFC 330 main event on Saturday. It'll be Garry's first UFC title fight and his first pay-per-view headliner. “The Future†will serve as Makhachev's first welterweight title challenger.
The champion will enter as a clear betting favorite, but Garry insists he will stun the MMA world by putting the top pound-for-pound MMA fighter to sleep. While Prates isn't going as far as to predict a finish for Garry, he does feel “The Future†has what it takes to pull off the upset win.
In a clip posted on UFC's X page, Prates shared his pick for the underdog Garry to pull it off.
“UFC 330, Ian Garry is gonna beat Makhachev by decision,†Prates said. “I don't know if unanimous decision or split decision, but it's gonna be a decision.â€
Prates has shared the Octagon with Garry and he nearly pulled off a come-from-behind victory. The Fighting Nerds standout ended up dropping a unanimous decision, and he actually became quite chummy with “The Future†once their fight wrapped up. Garry has envisioned facing Prates in a rematch with the UFC Welterweight Championship on the line.
In order for Garry to see his vision through, he'll need to become just the second man to defeat Makhachev in pro MMA competition. The reigning 170-pound titleholder hasn't been beaten since suffering an upset knockout loss back in 2015. The hiccup didn't deter Makhachev, who eventually broke the record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses before he moved up.
Make sure to stick with BJPenn.com throughout fight week for the latest tidbits leading up to Friday's weigh-ins and fight night.
As we get closer to Saturday's UFC 330 card, what are you expecting in the first few minutes of Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry? Share your thoughts on how things could play out early in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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