• Paddy Pimblett needs ranked opponents now โ€” casual wins aren't cutting it

    Paddy has had six UFC wins. One against a ranked opponent. His loss to Dricus du Plessis remains the only data point we have about how he performs against elite-level opposition, and it wasn't encouraging. I understand the entertainment value he brings and UFC's commercial calculation in protecting his record. But we are at the point where his next five wins against unranked fighters will not move the needle for his lightweight title case. He needs a top-8 opponent in his next fight. Tony Ferguson at this stage of Tony's career isn't the answer. Give him someone whose win genuinely advances the argument.

  • Paddy has had six UFC wins. One against a ranked opponent. His loss to Dricus du Plessis remains the only data point we have about how he performs against elite-level opposition, and it wasn't encouraging. I understand the entertainment value he brings and UFC's commercial calculation in protecting his record. But we are at the point where his next five wins against unranked fighters will not move the needle for his lightweight title case. He needs a top-8 opponent in his next fight. Tony Ferguson at this stage of Tony's career isn't the answer. Give him someone whose win genuinely advances the argument.