5 reasons why the UFC should book Paddy Pimblett vs. Terrance McKinney
Paddy Pimblett and Terrance McKinney are regarded by some as the future of the lightweight division. The two men have exciting, action-driven fighting styles that often leave their foes as staples of the divisional highlight reel.
Unfortunately, neither 155lber had an impressive outing the last time they fought.
In the eyes of many, 'The Baddy' was gifted an undeserved unanimous decision win against Jared Gordon. Meanwhile, Terrance McKinney just lost in 2023's first UFC pay-per-view to Ismael Bonfim. It was a brutal loss that exposed countless holes in the power-puncher's defensive striking.
With the two men in need of a more definitive win that will also generate fan interest, the UFC would be wise to book a matchup between 'The Baddy' and 'T. Wrecks'.
This list details five reasons why Dana White and the promotion's upper management should consider it.
#5. Paddy Pimblett vs. Terrance McKinney would be a fun fight
Paddy Pimblett and Terrance McKinney are both action fighters with a breadth of finishing instinct. While the former Cage Warriors champion is a grappler by trade, he's a hyper-aggressive fighter in the striking department with significant punching power.
Meanwhile, 'T. Wrecks' is a pure striker. He is lengthy and possesses explosive knockout power. Not only are the two men aggressive strikers who always pursue finishes, but the defensive holes in their respective striking games are the perfect ingredients for an exciting fight with a guaranteed finish.
After submitting Erick Gonzalez in the first round @twrecks155 called out Paddy Pimblett! 👀
#UFCVegas59 https://t.co/IN0ItXho4L
Paddy Pimblett often fights with his hands down low and his chin untucked and hyperexposed. This is especially true after he throws punches. By comparison, Terrance McKinney does the same but also lowers his lead hand to his waist after he throws a jab or hook.
Furthermore, to avoid counterpunches, he often ducks very low, opening himself up to uppercuts and knees. His loss to Ismael Bonfim was due to a counter-knee that intercepted him as he tried to duck under punches.
#4. Both Paddy Pimblett and Terrance McKinney are in need of a win
The circumstances surrounding Paddy Pimblett and Terrance McKinney's last fights mean that they're both in desperate need of wins. They need to erase the memory of their last outing inside the octagon.
The former Cage Warriors champion had an uninspired performance against Jared Gordon.
Paddy Pimblett vs Jared Gordon
Possibly the biggest robbery of the year, this fight will have pundits talking for the rest of Paddy’s career
Unfortunate for Jared who had nearly 6 minutes of control time! https://t.co/NS5QYfYaiS
He was outstruck and outgrappled but was somehow given the nod by the judges. Conversely, 'T. Wrecks' was the victim of a vicious knockout that left him lying out cold on the canvas.
Needless to say, the two men now need definitive wins to reestablish the prior hype they had.
While Pimblett is regarded as a future star in the division, McKinney's natural talent has left many under the assumption that he is a future contender. He has the power, the size and the length.
A definitive win for either 'The Baddy' or 'T.Wrecks' will at least salvage one of them.
#3. Terrance McKinney and Paddy Pimblett have a rivalry
Nothing generates interest in bouts quite like rivalries. They're the primary points of attraction for fans. For example, the initial matchup between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier was as successful as it was due to the heated rivalry that engulfed them. That's also why their subsequent bout was successful.
This is the same reason why Conor McGregor's clash with Khabib Nurmagomedov became the highest-selling PPV in UFC history. While 'The Baddy' is yet to have a rivalry of the same magnitude, Terrance McKinney has been challenging him to a fight for some time now.
Paddy 'The Baddy' at MSG would be quite something 👀
@twrecks155 wants Paddy Pimblett next! 🔥 https://t.co/VXooXDJUXb
First, 'T. Wrecks' claimed that Pimblett isn't at his level. He then swore to avenge Gordon by defeating Pimblett himself. He followed up that statement by asserting that he knew the UFC wouldn't let him fight Pimblett. McKinney also claimed that he'd headline a card with Pimblett and would expect complete domination.
Given the pair's history, it would be wise for the UFC to use their rivalry as a promotional crutch. Not only will it draw fan interest, it will also make everyone forget about the controversy surrounding Pimblett and Gordon.
#2. The matchup will reveal who the UFC should focus on
Paddy Pimblett and Terrance McKinney are two prospects that the UFC is eager to promote. However, who should receive the brunt of Dana White's promotional support is a question that's of recent interest. 'The Baddy' appears to have a higher ceiling as far as his stardom is concerned.
Meanwhile, 'T. Wrecks' seems to possess natural attributes that are a better formula for success. He is powerful enough that he could be losing a bout and still win via knockout. Thus, he has more potential to be competitive in the upper echelon of the division once his defensive holes are addressed.
Safe to say that the UFC has two big stars in the form of Paddy Pimblett and Sean O'Malley.
#ufc #danawhite #paddypimblett #seanomalley #mma #sportskeedamma https://t.co/7fSTS9nAg4
However, the UFC will not want to waste time promoting a fighter who will never fulfill the potential expected of them. This already happened when Sage Northcutt and Paige VanZant fought under Dana White's banner. Thus, the UFC will at least want to know who it should support between the two 155lbers.
A matchup will reveal who has the highest ceiling and is deserving of a promotional push and who would have been a fruitless investment.
#1. Paddy Pimblett vs. Terrance McKinney could be a Fight Night main event
The UFC has a contract with ESPN with a fundamental requirement for the promotion to hold a certain number of cards per year. While Dana White and his upper management colleagues usually do well when it comes to organizing PPV events that draw fan interest, the same cannot be said for Fight Night cards.
Sometimes, UFC Fight Night cards result in bouts that very few are eager to watch. A magnetic main event would go a long way to drawing spectators to the Fight Night cards that act as the backbone of the promotion's current model. Paddy Pimblett and Terrance McKinney can easily headline such a card.
A Fight Night card that's main-evented by 'The Baddy' and 'T Wrecks' is sure to render it a must-watch event. If neither 155lber is the future star that the UFC hopes it will be, then the promotion can at least squeeze whatever value either man has left by having them headline a Fight Night card.