Paddy the Baddy and the UFC: it’s going to be a complicated negotiation

It’s becoming increasingly clear that Paddy Pimblett is the UFC’s next major star. Indeed, the 27-year-old is beginning to draw in international audiences with fights fans unable to get enough of the Liverpudlian’s one-liners and general hilarity. In short, Pimblett, or Paddy the Baddy as he is known in fight circles, is one of a kind and has the personality to make the UFC an eye-watering amount of money, but is he good enough to keep global interest in his fights alive?

6 months gone —-I was —— pic.twitter.com/H9Svymk6Su

— Paddy The Baddy (@theufcbaddy) December 8, 2021

Ordinarily, Pimblett’s record would seem to suggest that he isn’t: he’s lost three times in 21 career fights. At the very least, the hype around an unbeaten record died some time ago after Pimblett lost to Cameron Else in Cage Warriors 60 back in 2013. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily matter, given that Pimblett’s popularity continues to grow on MMA’s biggest stage.

A star is born

Paddy is currently reaping the benefits of a hard-earned campaign in the UFC spotlight. Following an emphatic year in the Octagon in 2021, he signed a seven-figure deal with leading digital media company Barstool Sports.

Furthermore, the Liverpudlian has won four times in a row since his last loss in 2018, which indicates that he is beginning to build up a head of steam. Naturally, with this newfound exposure, comes greater expectation and we’re yet to see if Pimblett is able to command the same size audience should he lose again.

PADDY THE BADDY WINS AGAIN —

(via @ufc)pic.twitter.com/7pInlj1vwr

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 19, 2022

This is where the UFC and Dana White will be hoping that he can, given that the longer the 27-year-old can prolong this winning streak, the greater the number of new supporters he will bring to the sport in the process. This will obviously boost the UFC’s bottom line and they certainly stand to gain a lot from Pimblett’s appeal.

However, there is perhaps a conflict on the horizon with Pimblett and the UFC potentially unable to reach an agreement in terms of how much value they can both provide each other. Put differently, if Paddy the Baddy is indeed the next poster boy for the sport, then the two parties are currently a long way off in terms of valuation and subsequently reaching a new contract.

A difference of opinion?

For further proof of this, you only need to cast your mind back to Pimblett’s recent comments about not being interested in facing a higher-ranked opponent until the UFC pays him more. In essence, the standoff has already begun after his success at the 02 Arena in London in late March, but Pimblett may well have a point.

To illustrate how much other fighters are getting in comparison, take a look at the latest UFC betting markets for the upcoming UFC 274 and you’ll see Justin Gaethje, as of April 4th, at odds of +130 to beat Charles Oliveira. Now Gaethje, who will get in the region of $600,000 for this bout in May, took part in a blockbuster fight against the now-retired Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020 during UFC 254 when the Russian walked away with a staggering $6 million for his night’s work after he beat the Arizona-born fighter.

This star could also fade

Yes, that was a fight at the very top of the UFC bill but still, when you compare it to the paltry $12,000 flat fee that Pimblett currently gets for his fights, you can see why the Liverpudlian is begging to dig his heels in with regards to what he thinks he’s worth.

Paddy the Baddy sees himself among star-studded company

Stream UFC Destined here https://t.co/JP4giTA3K4 pic.twitter.com/HHLfdLbrK2

— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) March 28, 2022

Another key point to consider is that the conversation around what the UFC pays its stars is beginning to get louder with the company being accused of holding onto profits whilst paying its fighters comparatively low fees. This issue is now bound to be thrust into the spotlight once more with the UFC’s new face beginning to draw people’s attention to the disparity.

As touched on, the 27-year-old has a legitimate point, but it’s worth taking into account that both parties need each other just as much and Pimblett’s time at the top of the sport could well end up being short-lived. It’s likely both Pimblett and the UFC will come to a resolution at some stage, but it’s bound to be a complicated relationship up until then as the pair try to figure out how much ground they want to yield.