Dana White has never been shy about reducing the UFC’s star-making formula to its simplest terms. Ahead of UFC 324 this weekend, the UFC president did exactly that again, and in doing so, placed the spotlight squarely on Paddy Pimblett as the promotion’s latest litmus test.
Speaking to TNT Sports, White was asked what it actually takes for a fighter to become a star in the UFC, particularly in an era where social media presence and personality often dominate the conversation. His answer was blunt.
“Well first and foremost: can you fight?” White said. “Can you fight, can you break into the top ten, top five, top three and obviously, can you be a world champion? I say this all the time: you could be a deaf mute…if you can fight your ass off, people are going to love you.”
White acknowledged that aura and charisma can elevate a fighter once those competitive boxes are checked, pointing to former megastars Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey as obvious examples. He also referenced Chuck Liddell, whose stoic presence and knockout power helped define an earlier era of the promotion.
“A lot of different things make people a star,” White said. “But the one thing that only matters is can you fight?”
That question looms large for Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who headlines UFC 324 this weekend against Justin Gaethje (24-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in the biggest fight of his career to date. Pimblett has become one of the UFC’s most recognizable personalities since his debut, fueled by an infectious persona, a raucous walkout, and a knack for post-fight soundbites. But his rise has also been accompanied by skepticism about how far his skill set can carry him at the elite level.
White, however, sees familiar traits.
“Paddy’s got what all the other stars I mentioned have,” White said. “He always finds a way to win, he’s not afraid to fight anybody and he’s great on camera. His entrance is always great…energetic and exciting…and he has all the tools to be a star. The question is: can he be a world champion?”
