Dana White Compares Paddy Pimblett to McGregor
In an August 2024 interview with Jim Rome, UFC CEO Dana White said Paddy Pimblett reminded him of Conor McGregor in one specific respect: both drew skepticism, then answered critics with wins. White made the comparison after Pimblett submitted Bobby Green at UFC 304, while also praising his personality and toughness.
What White compared
White said Pimblett reminded him of McGregor early in McGregor’s UFC career because people questioned whether the hype was justified. He said both men responded by continuing to win. The comparison was about the pattern of criticism and performance; White did not say the two fighters had identical styles or careers.
Pimblett’s UFC 304 performance
Pimblett finished Green with a triangle choke at 3:22 of the first round in Manchester on July 27, 2024. UFC president Dana White later announced that Pimblett received a $200,000 bonus after the performance, double the event’s $100,000 award. The win extended Pimblett’s run in the UFC and earned him a place in the lightweight rankings.
Praise, not a prediction
White’s remarks were praise for Pimblett’s momentum and ability to attract attention, not a prediction that he would reach McGregor’s championship achievements or commercial scale. McGregor became the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion; Pimblett was still building his record and position in the lightweight division at the time. The fighters share a confident public profile, but their paths remain their own.
Sources: MMA Mania on White’s comparison; UFC 304 official result; MMA Fighting on Pimblett’s bonus; MMA USA’s McGregor coverage.
Sources
Tags: MMA
