Well before [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] got his new UFC deal wrapped up earlier this week, his manager and former promoter knew big things were on the way.
Graham Boylan, who promoted “The Baddy” when he fought under his Cage Warriors banner and became featherweight champion, manages him now, and ahead of his Saturday fight at UFC 304 (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+) in Manchester, England, presumably was instrumental in wrapping up the new contract.
In June, Boylan told MMA Junkie Radio he thinks Pimblett is the biggest star from the United Kingdom on the UFC’s roster.
“There is nobody – nobody – in the U.K. that even comes close to his popularity,” Boylan said. “There isn’t a single U.K.-signed UFC athlete that comes close to Paddy “The Baddy’s” popularity, and it’s that simple. There’ll be screaming and shouting of all sorts, and it’s this and it’s that (about who’s the most popular). I’m telling you, it’s just fact: Nobody is even close to his popularity, good and bad, love and hate it. It’s just phenomenal – the interactions, the social media numbers, the stats, the analytics we see.”
Pimblett (21-3 MMA, 5-0 UFC) on Saturday has arguably the biggest fight of his UFC career so far when he takes on lightweight slugger King Green (32-15-1 MMA, 13-10-1 UFC). The tension between the two has been palpable during fight week.
Pimblett has been the betting favorite in all five of his UFC fights – until now. Against Green, he started as a slight underdog, and the fight is nearly a coin toss down the stretch.
But if Pimblett pulls off an impressive win, the UFC will look smart to have signed him up to a new contract. Boylan said as his career progresses, they will be trying to not rush things.
“The matchmaking and the development of Paddy in the UFC has been great,” Boylan said. “The fights have been the right fights at the right time. They’ve been steps up at the right time. People keep forgetting: Paddy is still young and he has more fights than some guys who have retired. He’s still young. He’s still in his late 20s. There’s no rush for Paddy. Paddy could have another four fights taking a small step up for the next three or four fights. What’s the rush with him?
“But at the same time, I personally have to thank the UFC and Sean (Shelby) for how they’ve developed him and how they’ve worked with us on fights that are exciting, that get Paddy going, as well – they get Paddy excited. If Paddy had his way, he’d be fighting for the belt tomorrow. He’d take all the tough fights. But sometimes you just need to take a step back and develop a little bit, too.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.