Never short of an opinion, Chael Sonnen is wondering why anybody is comparing UFC newcomer Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett to Conor McGregor. Sonnen addressed his YouTube channel, blaming Pimblett’s accent, charisma, and location above all else.
“Where is that coming from? How did this ever get going? It seems to be as though anybody who’s interesting to listen to and somewhat clever, that also brings an accent to the table, instantly gets compared to Conor McGregor.
Chael Sonnen On the Big Difference Between McGregor and Paddy the Baddy
Paddy’s not the first. There’s been a pretty good handful of people from that side of the world that are good with rhetorical skills, that instantly get compared, that they’re gonna be the next Conor McGregor. It seems like a big claim and I’m not seeing how it’s getting made.”
While Pimblett’s quick wit and mic skills have endeared him to legions of fans, the Liverpudlian fighter also shares Conor McGregor’s penchant for early finishes. Pimblett is 2-0 in the UFC, with both fights ending in the first round. However, says Chael Sonnen, there’s one big difference.
“Let’s not forget, Conor’s marketing approach from jump street was, ‘Anyone, anywhere, anytime.’ Conor was then called on that.
That is an attitude and that is a mindset, make no mistake. There are not many people like that, but that is also the opposite mindset and attitude Paddy has.
I am not putting Paddy down here. I am just pointing out the obvious so that we all don’t get lost. Paddy said, ‘I will not fight the best guys. Not anyone, anytime, anywhere.
None of those things. Don’t bring me anybody in the top 15. Don’t ever bring me an opponent that’s got a ranking while I’m under the current contract…’
I’m not putting Paddy down. I’m still searching for anything that has to do with Paddy and Conor intersecting, other than they’re both interesting guys who bring an accent, who are pretty good on a microphone.”
Only time will tell whether Paddy Pimblett will reach the superstar level of Conor McGregor. Pimblett, like Conor McGregor, came up in the Cage Warriors promotion, fighting in the same weight division. Unlike Conor, who was champion of both featherweight and lightweight divisions in Cage Warriors, Paddy Pimblett only claimed the featherweight championship, although he did challenge for the CW lightweight belt before signing to the UFC.
What do you think of Chael Sonnen’s take? Let us know in the comments.
