Matt Brown: Paddy Pimblett stole show at UFC 329 but lacks title ceiling

Matt Brown believes Paddy Pimblett owned UFC 329 — but the former welterweight contender still doubts the Liverpudlian can reach the top of the lightweight division.

Pimblett finished Benoit Saint Denis with a modified D'arce choke in under 70 seconds at UFC 329 in Las Vegas earlier this month, capitalizing on massive viewership drawn by Conor McGregor's disastrous comeback attempt on the same card. Brown said Pimblett lived up to expectations and delivered an outstanding submission against a tough opponent, per MMA Fighting.

Brown draws McGregor parallels but sees lower ceiling

Brown compared Pimblett's performance to a comedian stealing the spotlight from the headliner, noting the energy and crowd reaction felt like McGregor in his prime. However, Brown remains unconvinced about Pimblett's championship potential, particularly after the January loss to now-champion Justin Gaethje in an interim title fight. Brown acknowledged he doubted McGregor early on, too, but said the difference is that Pimblett has already been beaten badly at the top level.

The lightweight division presents a brutal path for Pimblett going forward. Former champion Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and Ilia Topuria all loom as difficult matchups, and Gaethje has shown no interest in a rematch. Brown told The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast that he struggles to see Pimblett ever holding two titles the way McGregor did.

Pimblett next fights at a date yet to be announced, with no opponent confirmed.

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• MMA Fighting — Matt Brown praises Paddy Pimblett after he ‘stole the f*cking show’ at UFC 329 but still not sold on him as championship material