Paddy Pimblett’s stock continues to rise, and Brendan Schaub is advising everyone to buy in now.

“The Baddy” was the star of the show at UFC 314 this past Saturday, arguably overshadowing Alexander Volkanovski’s return to the top of the featherweight mountain and Jean Silva’s thrilling submission win over Bryce Mitchell. In a little under three rounds, Pimblett dominated veteran lightweight contender Michael Chandler en route to a ground-and-pound knockout.

In the lead-up to the contest, flyweight legend Demetrious Johnson touted Pimblett as a future UFC champion; now, Schaub is one-upping that praise as he believes Pimblett could become the biggest star in all of MMA.

“I’ve worked with everybody,” Schaub said on his YouTube channel. “There’s no one more engaging, more star quality, no one that just draws every ounce of attention when they walk in the room like Paddy Pimblett. The only guy that was able to do that was Conor McGregor. I keep telling you guys, Paddy’s the closest thing - there won’t ever be another Conor - the closest thing we have is Paddy Pimblett, and he checked another box tonight.

“People are like, ‘Oh, he’s actually better than I thought.’ Yes. You watch his film, you can tell the kid checks all the f*cking boxes. He’s going to keep proving you wrong, very similar to Conor. There’s nothing better than the come-up. Get on the train now. … Paddy Pimblett is the next global superstar for the UFC.”

Pimblett arrived in the UFC in 2021 with plenty of hype after a successful run in England’s Cage Warriors promotion (the same organization from which McGregor and several other future UFC standouts originated) and he’s proven to be a polarizing personality. Though he won his first four fights, a controversial decision win over Jared Gordon had Pimblett facing plenty of skepticism, though he has continued his winning ways since and is currently 7-0 inside the octagon.

The win over Chandler was Pimblett’s most impressive performance yet and despite how his detractors might feel, he’s likely one or two more big wins away from a title shot. Schaub went on to envision a scenario where Jack Della Maddalena defeats Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 for the welterweight title, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev moves up to avenge his friend and chase a second belt, and Pimblett ends up fighting a returning McGregor for a vacant lightweight belt.

“So you could possibly get Conor out of bed, Conor get his shit together, because everyone still thinks Paddy’s the easiest guy in the top 10, he’s going to be a top 10 guy, no doubt,” Schaub said. “All these vets including Conor McGregor think they can get one over on Paddy. They’re sorely mistaken. Paddy’s still getting better. Every fight he’s getting better. I’m telling you he’s your next face of the UFC.

“But Conor is like, ‘Alright, this kid’s a big name. He’s the face of England. His striking isn’t world class’ - again, they’re sorely mistaken - ‘I will fight Paddy.’ I think you’re going to get Islam moves up - again, perfect world, Belal Muhammad could f*ck all this up - but Islam could move up and then you have the vacant title at ‘55. All Paddy needs is one more. They’re not going to go Paddy-[Ilia] Topuria right now, it doesn’t make sense, but what makes all the sense and will get more views than Islam-Topuria, Jon Jones-Tom Aspinall, is Conor McGregor-Paddy Pimblett. Paddy beats Conor, then Paddy becomes the biggest star in the UFC. That’s the perfect world for the UFC.”

TOP STORIES

Report. UFC 314 saw some fighters earn incredible victories, but whose reputation took the worst hit by the end of the night?

Questions. Dustin Poirier isn’t sure what’s next for Chandler after his devastating loss to Pimblett.

Guarantee. Pimblett wants to give Ilia Topuria the same treatment he just gave Chandler.

Talk. Colby Covington is desperate to get in on all of the Pimblett drama.

VIDEO STEW

Izzy and Kamaru front row reaction.

More UFC 314 reactions.

The breakdown you didn’t know you needed.

FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR

Severe MMA. Graeme McDonnell and Seán Sheehan discuss what to make of Alexander Volkanovski’s legacy with his title win at UFC 314, Paddy Pimblett’s star turn, and more.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

All love.

Memories.

Jokes.

Could have worked.

Pride.

Oh?

FINAL THOUGHTS

Braces yourselves, it’s a UFC-free fight week!

Shout-out to PFL 3 though, tune in Friday afternoon.

EXIT POLL

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