"Oh, Paddy the Baddy" rings out around the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He's loved here.

The pop for him is incredible.

If Paddy Pimblett proved anything in that loss to Justin Gaethje, then it's that he's got a granite chin.

He took some right shots and stood up to them.

He's always said that Scousers don't get knocked out.

Image source, Getty Images

From a young kid in Liverpool to one of the UFC's biggest stars.

What a rise it's been for Paddy Pimblett and here are the five moments that shaped him in his own words.

*Worth noting this video was published in January*

Paddy Pimblett's opponent is France's Benoit Saint-Denis - who is ranked as the fifth best lightweight in the UFC.

In his UFC career, he's won nine fights and lost three times, with only his debut going the distance.

He's also won four fights on the trot.

Pimblett will have to be at his best here.

Image source, Getty Images

Right then, folks, Paddy Pimblett is up next:

Main card:

• Conor McGregor v Max Holloway - welterweight
• Benoit Saint-Denis v Paddy Pimblett - lightweight
• Mario Bautista def. Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision - bantamweight
• Brandon Royval def. Lone'er Kavanagh by submission - flyweight
• Bobby Green def. Terrance McKinney by TKO - lightweight

Preliminary card:

• Robert Whittaker def. Nikita Krylov by TKO - light-heavyweight
• Gable Stevenson def. Elisha Ellison by KO - heavyweight
• Adrian Yanez def. Cody Garbrandt by TKO - bantamweight
• Luke Riley def. Kai Kamaka by KO - featherweight

Did anyone spy this little encounter at the weigh-in last night?

Briton Conor Benn is expected to be facing WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia in September and the two were giving it large.

What a fight that'll be.

Image source, Getty Images

A defeat can be the beginning of the end for certain fighters but that won't be the case for Lone'er Kavanagh. His second round alone showed he can compete with anyone in the flyweight division.

Brandon Royval described Kavanagh as a "future champion" in his post-fight interview. If Kavanagh dusts himself down and comes back stronger, can the 27-year-old go that far?

Image source, Getty Images

It won't be an undefeated event for the Britons as Lone'er Kavanagh was just submitted by Brandon Royval in the third round.

That wasn't a fight, that was a battle. Unless something special happens in the final three fights of the morning, that will go down as the most entertaining fight of UFC 329. Royval agrees, mentioning the 'fight of the night' bonus multiple times in his post-fight interview.

Royval had an almost-perfect first round, limiting Kavanagh to very little action thanks to keeping his distance and using his size to keep Kavanagh on the floor in the business end of the round

Kavanagh made adjustments and came into his own in the second round, dropping Kavanagh with a fantastic counterpunch. The London-born puncher then released a barrage of punches which caused the Royval some serious trouble, but the American veteran used his experience to survive and see the round out.

The pair went blow-for-blow at the beginning of round three before Royval got the Brit to the ground and ended the fight with a rear-naked choke.

That was awesome.

Image source, Getty Images

Who said we'd never see Jon Jones back in the octagon?

The former UFC light-heavyweight and heavyweight champion was on corner duty earlier tonight for the highly anticipated debut of Gable Steveson.

Steveson threw a few of Jones' trademark teep kicks before finishing with some heavy-handed striking to earn a first-round knockout win against Elisha Ellison.

Image source, Getty Images

A win over Donald Cerrone in January 2020 remains Conor McGregor's only victory in the last nine years.

With inactivity during his recovery from a broken leg, coupled with the world-class resume of Max Holloway, there are suspicions that McGregor will be a shade of the fighter he once was when he competes in Vegas.

For much of McGregor's career inside and outside the octagon, he has brushed aside his critics, an attitude that has not changed.

"I outworked doubt," said McGregor.

"Doubt only builds if you do not put the work in, so I make sure I put the work in. Our preparation for this bout has been very meticulous."

Tell you what, I'd love a fight with all of the drama Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje had in it.

What a scrap that was.

Image source, Getty Images

Have you liked what you've seen from Paddy Pimblett in his UFC career so far?

I want you guys to tell me whether you think Paddy the Baddy will one day go on to become the UFC lightweight champion.

Let's see what you all think.

Paddy the Baddy is back.

In January, Pimblett went on to taste defeat in the UFC for the very first time as he was beaten on points by Justin Gaethje.

What a fight that was, right?

Now, though, his quest for lightweight gold continues.

Image source, Getty Images

The headline fight in Las Vegas between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway is likely to take place at around 04:30 BST this morning.

Hope you've got plenty of coffee in the tank.

Back in May, Luke Riley said on X that his fight against Kai Kamaka III would be a "good stepping stone for where I'm heading to" - and I think he was right. Not only getting the victory, but the manner in which he did should certainly open the door to some higher-profile fights in the near future.

When asked by Joe Rogan who he wants to fight next, Riley said: "Whoever. I don't have a name on my tongue. Whoever the promotion want me to fight, I'll fight."

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Riley, speaking after his victory: "My past two fights I've been harsh on myself but after this one I'm a happy man. I'm happy to be in the States. The UFC have looked after me so far; Qatar, co-main in my second fight and now here.

"When I hit someone, it's bedtime. They go for a nap. He had to go to sleep. See you later."

Riley finished his interview by chanting "Oh, Paddy the Baddy! Oh, Paddy the Baddy!" in support of his team-mate and fellow Scouser, Paddy Pimblett. You love to see it.

Image source, Getty Images

England have progressed to the semi-finals of the World Cup, and Luke Riley has cruised to victory in the prelims. We couldn't have asked for a better start to the morning!

Riley, a team-mate of Paddy Pimblett, defeated American Kai Kamaka III by TKO just three minutes into the first round.

It was a fairly even contest in the opening minute, but after knocking his opponent down shortly after, the Scouser went on the full offense, taking Kamaka III to the side of the cage before the referee stepped in.

That brings Riley's professional record to 14-0 and his third win in the UFC.

Image source, Getty Images

Before we take a deep look at the main event and co-main, it's time to talk about a winning Briton...

Despite his controversies, UFC chiefs appear to believe Conor McGregor will still draw eyes to the sport and make the promotion money without affecting the brand.

Last year, White gave no indication that McGregor's civil case verdict would impact his UFC career.

Before the UFC's deal with Paramount started in January this year, McGregor's fights formed eight of the top-10 highest-selling pay-per-views in the promotion's history, according to Forbes.

In 2021, McGregor was the highest-paid athlete in the world, earning just under £128m over 12 months, but he says his return against Holloway is about his love for the sport.

"The challenge ahead of me is colossal. I'm entering with supreme confidence. It's magnificent; the fire is in my belly roaring, and it's about to be released on Saturday night," McGregor said.

Many journalists in Vegas have chosen not to hold McGregor to account on his controversies during fight week, but it remains to be seen what reception he will receive from fans.