Paddy Pimblett flattered by Dana White’s Conor McGregor comparison but knows he’s ‘going to be bigger’ than...

Paddy Pimblett was ‘flattered’ by comparison to UFC superstar Conor McGregor, but knows he ‘is going to be bigger than him’.

The sport’s latest rising star, Pimblett, will be in action at UFC London against Kazula Vargas and has already had the highest of praise from UFC president Dana White.

White spoke to talkSPORT and compared the 27-year-old Liverpudlian to former featherweight and lightweight double-champion McGregor saying ‘people love him’.

Pimblett has similarly shot into MMA fans’ awareness by winning his UFC debut in style last September.

He knocked out Brazilian Luigi Vendramini at UFC 191 to take his overall record to 17-3, and will be looking to improve on that when he faces Vargas.

However, he’s already done enough to impress White, who said: “People love him. And now Paddy has got to get in and put in the work and win the fights. 

“People love Conor and Conor came here and did what he set out to do. If Paddy can get in here and win these fights, he’ll be a huge superstar.”

Pimblett was honoured to hear himself compared to The Notorious but has set his goals even higher.

“It’s a flattering compliment because of what the man has done for the sport,” he explained.

“He is the biggest star the sport’s ever seen, but I know I am going to be bigger than him because I’m going to bring so many more eyes to this sport. 

“Where he brought 20-odd-year-olds to the sport, I’m going to bring four, five, six, seven, eight-year-olds into this sport who are going to be MMA fans for the rest of their lives.

“We’re going to take over boxing in the next 10 years. Watch. I just resonate with kids and kids love me. 

“I’m not head shaved, loads of tattoos, I’m just me. I’m not trying to be something I’m not and I think kids like that as well as older people.

“I am built for this. I was put on this Earth to fight and entertain people and I’m going to continue to do it on Saturday night. 

“I always try and finish the fight no matter what. I wear my heart on my sleeve inside and outside the cage. I am just real. I’m not trying to be anything I’m not and I think people love me for that.”