Ronda Rousey has expressed her strong desire to recruit UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett for an MVP MMA event. Rousey is set to headline the upcoming MVP MMA event this Saturday, which will be broadcast on Netflix from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Her opponent in the main event will be Gina Carano.
The fight card is already impressive, featuring a heavyweight bout between Francis Ngannou and Philipe Lins, a welterweight clash of Nate Diaz against Mike Perry, and Junior dos Santos facing Robelis Despaigne. Additionally, Salahdine Parnasse will compete against Kevin Cross in the lightweight division. The preliminary card includes notable fighters such as Adriano Moraes, Jason Jackson, and Aline Pereira. Rousey considers the current lineup a dream, given the caliber of talent already confirmed.
Ronda Rousey explains why Paddy Pimblett is a perfect fit for MVP MMA
During an interview with Complex, Rousey identified her top UFC prospect for MVP MMA as Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett. She highlighted his appeal extending beyond his fight record or championship status. “I just think that he’s an incredible character on his own. Yeah, and he doesn’t need a belt. He doesn’t need a brand. People will watch him just for him,” Rousey stated.
Pimblett boasts a professional record of 23 wins and 4 losses within the UFC’s lightweight division, with victories over prominent fighters like Tony Ferguson, King Green, and Michael Chandler. The 31-year-old fighter hails from Liverpool, trains at Next Generation MMA, and employs an orthodox fighting style. His skillset combines the submission expertise of a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with the striking power honed through boxing training.
Rousey shared that even friends who are not avid MMA fans have contacted her specifically about Pimblett’s walkouts. “I’ve had friends of mine that aren’t even that interested in MMA hit me up and be like, ‘Oh my god, did you see his entrance?’ And an entrance giving people chills is something you can’t teach, and something that he has in spades,” she elaborated.
Gina Carano enters this bout with a record of 7 wins and 1 loss. Her most recent fight was a loss to Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce back in 2009. Rousey, a former UFC champion, is making her return after an extended period away from the sport. MVP’s events utilize a hexagonal cage and adhere to Unified Rules. The bout between Rousey and Carano will be a five-round featherweight contest contested at 145 pounds.
Rousey believes there is significant value in attracting talent like Pimblett, even if they remain with the UFC to leverage better contracts. “Even if they stay in the UFC, to have the leverage to get compensated more fairly,” she commented. The event’s preliminary fights will commence at 6 p.m. ET on YouTube and Tudum, with the main card starting at 9 p.m. ET exclusively on Netflix.