Paddy Pimblett flatters Dana White’s Conor McGregor comparison but knows he’ll be bigger ‘than The Notorious

Paddy Pimblett was “fluttering” compared to UFC superstar Conor McGregor, but knows he “will be bigger than him”.

The last rising star of the sport, Pimblett, will be in action at UFC London against Kazula Vargas and has already won the highest praise from UFC President Dana White.

White spoke to talkSPORT and compared the 27-year-old Liverpudlian to former featherweight and lightweight doubles champion McGregor, saying “people love him”.

Pimblett similarly raised awareness among MMA fans by winning his UFC style debut last September.

He defeated Brazilian Luigi Vendramini at UFC 191 to set his overall record at 17-3, and will look to improve on that when he faces Vargas.

However, he had already done enough to impress White, who said: “People love him. And now Paddy has to get down to work and win the fights.

“People love Conor and Conor came here and did what he imagined. If Paddy can come here and win these fights, he’ll be a big superstar.

Pimblett was honored to hear himself compared to The Notorious but set his goals even higher.

“It’s a flat compliment because of what the man did for the sport,” he explains.

“He’s the biggest star the sport has ever seen, but I know I’m getting bigger than him because I want to bring so many more eyes to this sport.

“Where he brought 20-year-olds into the sport, I will bring four, five, six, seven, eight-year-olds into this sport who have been MMA fans for the rest of their lives.

“We’ll take over boxing in the next 10 years. Look. I’m just resonating with kids and kids love me.

“I’m not shaved my head, a lot of tattoos, I’m just me. I’m not trying to be something I am not and I think kids like that as well as older people.

“I was built for it. I was put on this earth to fight and entertain people and I will continue to do so on Saturday night.

“I always try to finish the fight no matter what. I carry my heart on my sleeve inside and outside the cage. I’m just right. I try not to be anything I am not and I think people love me for it. .