John McCarthy: Paddy Pimblett faced better competition in Cage Warriors than he has in UFC

John McCarthy isn’t a fan of the way Paddy Pimblett has been matched up so far in the UFC.

Pimblett (18-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC), a former Cage Warriors champion, is 2-0 since joining the UFC roster last year. He’s coming off a first-round submission of Kazula Vargas this past Saturday at UFC Fight Night 204, but he faced a bit of adversity before notching the finish just like he did in his octagon debut against Luigi Vendramini.

The impact Pimblett has made in just two octagon bouts is undeniable. The Liverpool native quickly has become one of the most popular fighters on the roster but insists he won’t take a step up in competition unless he gets an increase in pay.

While McCarthy gets the reasoning behind the UFC’s matchmaking, the fact remains that he thinks Pimblett has been given favorable matchups so far.

“I understand why they put him against someone like Kazula Vargas, an older fighter,” McCarthy said on his “Weighing In” podcast. “He’s got a good record even though he hasn’t really fought that many quality opponents. I’m not a Paddy hater. I love when you have a guy like Paddy who talks the way he does, who has that game. I don’t want to say he’s flamboyant, he is boisterous, he’s out there, he’s gonna push the envelope. If you want to talk about how great you are, I want to see you against other great fighters so you prove it.”

He continued, “I just want to see him against better competition. I’ve seen him against better competition in Cage Warriors than I’m seeing him in competition in the UFC. Tell me I’m lying.”

Pimblett was involved in an altercation with fellow lightweight Ilia Topuria, who knocked out Jai Herbert on the same night. Topuria said he wanted Pimblett next, which would be a significant step up for the brash Brit. But Pimblett brushed off his callout, claiming that everyone just wants to hang on his coattails.