Sean O'Malley used to be the fighter that got easy opponents, until all of a sudden he faced Petr Yan and won via split decision. Few of Sean opponents were from the top, and all of a sudden he gets top1 opponent. Same can be repeated with Paddy, but doubtfully will, as lightweight division is overcrowded with good fighters. So yeah, highly likely Paddy will be not facing top ranked fighters for some time. Personally, I dont like Paddy. He is grimacing to much, has a very too high an opinion of yourself while having a wind in his head. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40lPKQ5rP2o - damn, this is so embarrassing to sit and clean your teeth while doing an interview
I am going to stick to my words and say that UFC is not in its prime days anymore.
Another thing is, I would say, that the popularity of the UFC is certainly decreasing, but not at a level that can be considered as “dying“.
Why? Just why you got such an opinion? They had events almost every week, while other promotions are lucky to have an event once per month. I think we are so used to their numerous events, that it becomes a routine, and some people, like you for example (no offence) thinks that its popularity is decreasing. Speaking about popularity - UFC were the only sport event that continued during pandemic and lockdowns. If no one would be interested in it, if its popularity would be "certainly decreasing", they would not ran all those events, and people rather switch to watching TV series on Netflix, instead of watching UFC events Instead, they gained tremendous response and support during that time.
If you think that I am wrong, then what were the times when "UFC were in prime"?
Because they passed it already after Connor. They were trying to revive it through Paddy that has the bravado of Connor but Paddy is not as good as Connor when it comes to striking. If he is just as good as Khamzat combined with Paddy's boldness and I hate to say this, an Englishman, we might see it back again.
Dana will soon give Paddy one of the baddest fighters in the cage if he asks fee as much as how much Connor got in one fight.