Paddy Pimblett old only way to earn £20million is to quit UFC
Paddy Pimblett is arguably one of the biggest stars in the UFC but has been told boxing is the only way he can earn big money
Paddy Pimblett has been warned he can only make big money if he leaves UFC for boxing.
Liverpool's Pimblett recorded the biggest win of his career in April when he stopped former Bellator champion Michael Chandler. He has been linked with a clash with the hard-hitting Justin Gaethje later this year as the Brit eyes a lightweight title shot in 2026. But according to former boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi, Pimblett will never earn big bucks in the cage.
"Paddy Pimblett is a guy that's now that big that his base [purse] would probably start at $20million if he were a boxer. Because that's what you're talking about now, he's maybe one of the biggest, if not the biggest star in MMA," he told Spin Genie.
"So you have to compare him to the biggest star in the sport of boxing that moves the needle like that. And to tell you the truth, MMA guys probably move the needle more than the biggest boxer, because I think MMA overall sells more pay-per-views. It sells more viewership.
"So that's why I say, at the very minimum, Paddy would be starting at $20million for his next fight, plus pay per view points. This is the model we have in boxing."
After beating Chandler, Pimblett set out what he believes is his route to the top. "I know for a fact if I beat Gaethje, I'm next in line. Definitely. It could be (the next fight)," Pimblett told TNT Sports. "It's just if he says yeah or not. Because he's fighting down the rankings again. Abu Dhabi. October. That pay-per-view, that's when I want to fight.
"That's what I'll be gearing towards. After what I've done to (Michael) Chandler, I think I finish Justin Gaethje... Yeah, that'd be nice [to fight Gaethje]. But I was thinking about it the other day: It's probably better if Ilia wins the belt, because he'll probably call me out and then I could just fight him.
"Maybe I wouldn't even fight Gaethje, [and I could] just fight Topuria... It'd be far better for my career if Ilia wins because I'd, more than likely, be his first title defence.'
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