​Paddy Pimblett’s stardom took a big leap at UFC 329. | 📷: Getty/UFCEditor’s note: The views and opinions expressed below are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sherdog.com, its affiliates and sponsors or its parent company, Evolve Media.* * *Ever since the conclusion of UFC 329, all the talk has been focused on Conor McGregor. About how he’s finished. About how he was allegedly injured entering the event and stuck it to everyone that watched. About how wasted the prime of his career abusing his body outside of the cage. Some of those things I agree with, some of those things I think there’s more to the story. Regardless, there’s more than enough articles out there focusing on McGregor blowing out his knee just seconds into his contest with Max Holloway. I doubt I’d be offering anything new to the conversation.That said, I find it appropriate to at least make mention of him as the door officially closes on being a significant figure in mixed martial arts. That’s because there’s a very good possibility down the road that we’ll remember UFC 329 as the night Paddy Pimblett officially arrived as a star. In the entirety of the big picture, I think he’ll partially have McGregor to thank for that.While I had little faith we were going to get a quality performance from McGregor, I also knew there wouldn’t be a shortage of people who tune in to UFC 329. Even as many of us within the MMA community know that McGregor stopped being an elite fighter a while ago, his name value was still enormous to the public; that he would still be able to draw more eyeballs than anyone else. And while McGregor wishes there were less eyeballs, it will prove to be very beneficial for Pimblett that so many were watching.As embarrassing as the performance was for McGregor, it was that good for Pimblett. Maybe better. After all, his contest with Benoit St. Denis was officially shorter than McGregor’s loss to Holloway. St. Denis went in for a takedown and got his head caught in a guillotine from Pimblett. As the Frenchman looked to escape, Pimblett adjusted into a front choke that eventually became a Peruvian necktie of sorts that put St. Denis to sleep. Pimblett’s ability to stay with the choke hold as his opponent rolled was flawless; one of the best displays of grappling seen in recent memory. The reaction of the crowd and Pimblett’s ability to get them to do his dance was very reminiscent of how the masses responded to McGregor in his prime. A star-making performance.Perhaps some would argue Pimblett was a star before the event. He’s managed to grow in popularity — or should I say notoriety — with every UFC appearance. His other performance earlier this year came at UFC 324, headlining in a loss to Justin Gaethje. Despite losing, Pimblett managed to hang in there with a brawling Gaethje, gaining respect from those who still doubted him. However, given the sloppy nature of the contest, many were led to believe Gaeth