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Ronda Rousey names the one UFC star who has broken through to next level of celebrity

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 4:43 AM ET

Ronda Rousey singled out Paddy Pimblett for special praise when explaining what it takes to break through as a UFC superstar today.

The legendary former bantamweight champion went on a legendary winning run before bowing out of the sport in 2016 following KO defeats to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. She has been eyeing a comeback, which would be one of the biggest in the sport’s history.

Rousey made an appearance in New York at Comic Con this week to promote her own projects, and participated in a Q&A that was recorded by MMAFighting’s Jose Youngs.

Ronda Rousey heaps praise on Paddy Pimblett amid UFC fighter advice

One key to Ronda Rousey’s success as a crossover star was her embrace of the mainstream and being a celebrity. She appeared in movies and posed for magazines, making her a household name despite the UFC still being a relatively young league.

And speaking on Friday she detailed the importance of doing just that, noting particularly that Paddy Pimblett seems to have that down as a beloved entertainer as well as fighter. The Brit is popular with fans outside of just the UFC bubble, and as a result is a rising star perhaps beyond even his ability.

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“That’s what I think really matters, that you can make people know who you are,” Rousey explained to the New York City crowd. “People that don’t know fighting. And that is how you command the being-an-entertainer aspect.

“I think a lot of the fighters don’t realize that they’re also entertainers. The one person I think who really realizes that is Paddy Pimblett. And so I really appreciate that.”

Rousey was a massive entertainer both in and out of the cage with explosive quick finishes complimented by promos and appearances in the media. She famously appeared in films such as Entourage and The Expendables, as well as making two runs in the WWE after fighting.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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