In 2013, when former UFC middleweight star Anderson Silva suffered his second consecutive knockout loss to Chris Weidman, Silva never imagined anyone could feel the sadness than him that day. But Conor McGregor was more upset than Silva. As we all know, McGregor was a much bigger fan of Silva, and recently, McGregor’s admiration for Silva has once again been brought to the spotlight, thanks to Paddy Pimblett.

In just three years since his UFC debut, Paddy Pimblett has become a force to be reckoned with, currently on a 6-0 win streak. He’s been on a break since his last victory over Bobby Green in July but is eager to return to the octagon in spring 2025, just ahead of his twin daughters’ first birthday. Recently, the Liverpool native appeared on the StillRyan YouTube podcast, where he recalled Conor McGregor’s reaction after Silva’s loss when the host asked about McGregor’s influence on him. Pimblett admitted that “a little bit” of his aspiration came from McGregor’s charisma and mindset.

Pimblett recalled, “We were watching Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman that night. He was there in Philip M. Peters’ corner, and I’ll never forget, I fell asleep sitting on the couch with my head on Philip M. Peters’ shoulder. We woke up and ended watching the fight, and there were only a few of us left. Then, he was there with John Kavanagh and Conor McGregor. When Anderson lost, Conor was gutted because he’s an Anderson Silva fan. I’ll never forget him kicking the wall in the hotel reception. It was hilarious.”

Paddy Pimblett is one of the latest additions to the UFC, quickly making waves in the promotion. Before joining the world’s largest MMA organization, he had already built a solid reputation on the regional circuit.

Hailing from Liverpool and drawing inspiration from Conor McGregor’s trash talk, Pimblett generated significant buzz, eventually catching the eye of top fighters like Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev. His rise didn’t go unnoticed by UFC boss Dana White, who couldn’t help but shower Pimblett with the kind of respect every fighter dreams of.

Why Does Dana White see Conor McGregor in Paddy Pimblett?

UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor has made a lasting impact in less than a decade, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with and becoming the face of the promotion. He turned MMA and the UFC into household names worldwide. However, now McGregor seems to be in the rearview mirror. Not many characters possess Conor McGregor’s all-action style. Imagine the Rock leaving WWE in his prime.

Several names have emerged as potential successors to McGregor’s throne. It includes bantamweight Sean O’Malley and featherweight star Ilia Topuria. These fighters remain at the top of analysts’ and fans’ minds. However, one name that isn’t as popular but has the backing of UFC CEO Dana White for his hunger for the sport is British prospect Paddy Pimblett.

While Pimblett may not have a widespread fanbase yet, he has earned the support of his boss. Significantly, White sees him as the next superstar. White revealed this while speaking to Jim Rome, saying, “You know what, he reminds me of Conor (McGregor) when Conor first started because everybody said ‘Oh, Conor’s not that good, all the hype,’ and this and that, and they just keep sticking it to everybody every time they fight. Paddy is one of those guys, everybody keeps doubting him.

What are your thoughts on Paddy Pimblett’s comments? Do you believe he has what it takes to fill the void left by Conor McGregor, especially with the UFC needing a charismatic new superstar? With McGregor’s return to the octagon uncertain due to ongoing controversies and personal issues, is Pimblett the fighter to carry the torch? Share your thoughts below.