Ronda Rousey has expressed a strong desire to bring UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett into the fold for an MVP MMA event. Rousey is set to headline the upcoming MVP MMA card this Saturday, facing Gina Carano in the main event at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, broadcast live on Netflix.
The stacked MVP MMA lineup also features significant bouts such as Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins in the heavyweight division, Nate Diaz against Mike Perry at welterweight, and Junior dos Santos facing Robelis Despaigne. Further adding to the excitement, Salahdine Parnasse will compete against Kevin Cross in the lightweight division, with the preliminary card showcasing talent like Adriano Moraes, Jason Jackson, and Aline Pereira. Rousey has already described the assembled roster as a dream lineup.
Why Ronda Rousey Believes Paddy Pimblett is a Perfect Fit for MVP MMA
During a recent interview with Complex, Rousey identified her ideal UFC fighter to recruit for MVP MMA: Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett. She emphasized his broad appeal, which extends 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, a Liverpool native, boasts a professional record of 23 wins and 4 losses in the UFC’s lightweight division, with notable victories over Tony Ferguson, Grant Dawson, and Michael Chandler. The 31-year-old fighter trains at Next Generation MMA and employs an orthodox fighting style, blending Brazilian jiu-jitsu with the striking power honed through boxing training.
Rousey shared anecdotes of friends who are not typically avid MMA fans reaching out to her about Pimblett’s ring walks. “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 added.
Carano, Rousey’s opponent, enters the fight with a 7-1 record, her last bout being a loss to Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce in 2009. Rousey, a former UFC champion, is making her return to competition after an extended hiatus. The MVP MMA event will utilize a hexagonal cage and adhere to Unified Rules for their five-round featherweight bout contested at 145 pounds.
Rousey sees the strategic advantage in recruiting talent like Pimblett, even if it means they remain with the UFC. “Even if they stay in the UFC, to have the leverage to get compensated more fairly,” she explained. The event’s preliminary bouts are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET on YouTube and Tudum, with the main card commencing at 9 p.m. ET exclusively on Netflix.