Dana White anoints 'real deal' Paddy Pimblett as 'superstar' after UFC 304 wipeout of King Green

It’s time to take Paddy Pimblett seriously as a legitimate top-tier lightweight. That’s what UFC CEO Dana White thinks.

Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC) delivered big in the biggest spot of his career Saturday at UFC 304 when he choked King Green unconscious in highlight-reel fashion in front of a raucous crowd at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. It was the first fight on Pimblett’s new contract, and he received an extra $200,000 in Performance of the Night bonus money for his efforts.

The emphatic result sent Pimblett’s stock soaring and led to him declaring himself as a top 15 lightweight with sights on Renato Moicano, win or lose in his UFC Paris matchup with Benoit Saint Denis on Sept. 28. Pimblett also used the moment to bash those who said he would never achieve such heights in his career, and White said he deserves to do exactly that.

“He’s one of those guys that I think his personality or whatever it is – people aren’t afraid of him,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC 304 post-fight news conference. “I don’t know. I can’t explain it. He showed tonight you don’t have to be afraid of him, but you definitely have to worry about him. And now he’s in the top 15. And he’s never lost in the UFC. So he’s the real deal.”

White was questioned about all sorts of scenarios in regards to Pimblett’s future. Will he get that fight will Moicano or someone on that level? Could he get a five-round headliner next? Would it take place in Europe?

The potential scenarios are endless for “The Baddy,” and now it’s White’s job to determine the best one.

“You can do anything with Paddy,” White said. “The guy’s a superstar. There’s no doubt about it. Everybody who keeps doubting him – he keeps proving everybody wrong. It was a big test for him and he breaks into the top 15 and did it impressively against a highly-motivated, very talented guy.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.