Since bursting into the UFC in 2021, Paddy Pimblett has never been one to blend in. His blonde mop, broad grin, and trash talk in his thick Scouser accent have made him one of the most recognizable names in the fight game. Yet behind the flash lies a fighter who’s been quietly crafting his legacy, one finish, one promo, and one viral post at a time.

At 23-3, ‘The Baddy’ has already conquered Cage Warriors and is now rising up the UFC’s lightweight ranks with Ilia Topuria in his crosshairs. He’s finished names like King Green, and Michael Chandler walked away with a Performance of the Night bonus almost every time. Still, his latest fan isn’t just another fighter; it’s Ronda Rousey, the UFC Hall of Famer who changed the sport for women forever. And when ’Rowdy’ talks about star power, you listen!

Ronda Rousey gives an honest verdict on “entertainer” Paddy Pimblett’s rise to fame

So, what does the former bantamweight queen see in Pimblett that others don’t? Rousey explained in an interview clip shared by MMA Fighting on Instagram, “But that’s what I think really matters, that you can make people know who you are that don’t watch fighting. And that is how you command the ‘being an entertainer’ aspect. I think a lot of the fighters today don’t realize that they’re also entertainers. And the one person I think that does really realize that is Paddy Pimblett. And so I really appreciate it.”

It’s rare praise from someone who redefined what it meant to “be a fighter” in the first place. Before Ronda Rousey, women weren’t even allowed to fight in the UFC. But she forced the world to care, and now sees the same spark in a 30-year-old from Liverpool.

Paddy Pimblett‘s story isn’t one of overnight fame. When the UFC came calling initially, he reportedly said no twice. He wasn’t ready. Instead, he stayed in Cage Warriors, fought through the ranks, and learned to handle the media storm that was inevitably waiting. When he finally debuted in September 2021, the world knew his name, not because of a PR campaign, but because he had built it up himself.

Since then, it’s been a mix of chaos and charisma. He’s been criticized for leaving his chin high, questioned for his wild weight swings after fights, and even called ‘overhyped.’ Yet every time he steps into the Octagon, he silences doubters with skill and showmanship, as he’s currently undefeated inside the Octagon, despite controversy hanging over his UFC 282 win over Jared Gordon.

But here’s where Rousey’s words truly hit home. Paddy Pimblett’s appeal doesn’t just lie in his record; it’s in his ability to connect to audiences. Whether he’s championing men’s mental health, joking about his off-season appetite, or calling out his next opponent with a grin, fans hang on every word. Now, as he rides high off a TKO win over former Bellator champion Michael Chandler at UFC 314, the question looms: what’s next for ‘The Baddy’?

Pimblett takes aim at Ilia Topuria with “one-sided fight” prediction

What happens when the showman decides to pick a fight on his rival’s turf? In a recent interview with eldoberdanMMA, Paddy Pimblett took shots at Ilia Topuria and their long-standing rivalry as he fired off with, “I want to fight Ilia, whenever, wherever, I’d love to come to Bernabéu and punch your face in. Do it in Spain in front of your fake countrymen because you’re really German.”

Harsh? Yes. Intentional? Absolutely. But there’s method behind the madness as he further shared, “I’d love to come and punch your face in in front of 90,000 people in the Bernabéu in enemy territory for me because the Bernabéu is a sh—.”

With ‘The Baddy’ being a vocal supporter of Liverpool FC, it’s not surprising that he’s taking jabs at Real Madrid’s home stadium and the legion of Ilia Topuria fans. The two have been feuding for a while and even stepped into the cage to face off with one another after ‘El Matador’ claimed the lightweight crown against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.

Still, at the time of writing, there are only rumors surrounding when the champion will fight next, and so far, there hasn’t been any confirmation from UFC boss Dana White about the promotion’s plans. Yet, Pimblett believes there’s only one way their fight will end as he confessed, “I can see so many ways that I finish him, everyone thinks that on the feet it would be a one-sided fight. I can see myself knocking him out. Kicks and knees and elbows.”

As his rivalry with Ilia Topuria brews and the stakes climb higher, Paddy Pimblett stands at the crossroads of fame and greatness. Can he turn showmanship into championship gold? Or will the bright lights he’s mastered finally burn too hot to handle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!