Conor McGregor first stepped foot inside the octagon back in April 2013, and the MMA world took notice. Even UFC President Dana White and the top brass of the promotion were perceptive about the Irishman’s star power.
The UFC now has their eye on UK’s rising star Paddy Pimblett to emulate the journey of ‘The Notorious’, but many inside the MMA community, including the current Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis, think differently.
What distinguished Conor McGregor from other prospects who have emerged in the UFC over the years was his ability to deliver the complete package. McGregor enthralled fans worldwide with his brash demeanor and silver-tongued mic skills. He even delivered on his promise of an exciting finish until he captured the two-division championship status at UFC 205.
Pimblett, on the other hand, fought Jared Gordon at UFC 282 in Las Vegas, where he was controversially awarded a victory by unanimous decision, leaving fans on social media and beyond bewildered at how the judges could come to that conclusion. Several MMA fighters also voiced their concern and disapproval over the controversial decision.
Former UFC bantamweight contender and current Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis found it apposite to bring up Mcgregor’s rise to stardom in the debate while claiming that it cannot be duplicated by anyone, not even by Paddy Pimblett. He took to Twitter to express his thoughts:
“Well there will never be another @TheNotoriousMMA rise. The skillset and mindset were complimentary to one another. Can’t just believe you are great, you have to deliver. And Mcgregor did just that. Changed the game and it can’t be duplicated. Many have tried.”
Promptly replying to fans who suggested that Pimblett had a bad day in the office, Pettis wrote:
“He [Pimblett] has the star power to be up there just going to have to live in the gym for a bit and build up the skills more. I wouldn’t say a bad night in the office just faced a tougher opponent. Gordon is a gamer and showed it.”
What did Conor McGregor say about Paddy Pimblett’s controversial decision victory at UFC 282?
Paddy Pimblett eked out a close unanimous decision victory over Jared Gordon in the recently concluded UFC 282 pay-per-view event.
Several fans lashed out at the judges’ decision, with the clear consensus being that Gordon had done enough to win the fight. Despite the widely accepted notion that the Liverpool native lost the fight, Pimblett is convinced that he was the clear victor at the end of the fight.
In a since-deleted tweet, Conor McGregor congratulated Pimblett for his performance and encouraged him to keep pushing forward:
“Congrats Paddy the baddy this weekend. Doing all the right things despite what you’d think. Great stuff. Onward.”