Paddy Pimblett made a big statement with his first-round submission win over Kazula Vargas at UFC London. Not everyone left the event impressed and that includes former MMA referee, ‘Big' John McCarthy.

Most of the criticism Paddy Pimblett received from everyone was about his opponent. Kazula Vargas was considered well-beneath Pimblett's level and many didn't like the booking for UFC London.

“I’m not a Paddy hater,” McCarthy told co-host, Josh Thomson, in a recent episode of their Weighing In podcast (h/t BloodyElbow). “I love when you have a guy like Paddy who talks the way he does, who has that game…

“He’s — I don’t want to say flamboyant — he is boisterous. He’s out there. He’s gotta push the envelope. And if you want to talk about how great you are, I want to see you against other great fighters so you prove it.

“I just want to see him against better competition. I’ve seen him against better competition in Cage Warriors than I’m seeing him in competition in the UFC. Tell me I’m lying.”

John McCarthy did understand the booking for Paddy Pimblett at UFC London. The promotion has to build him up and turn him into a superstar before he can fight better competition.

“I understand why they put him against someone like (Kazula) Vargas, an older fighter. He’s got a good record even though he hasn’t really fought that many quality opponents,” he said.

“I totally understand why the UFC put him in the fight that they did. It is their job to create that momentum that when the needle is pushed over to that limit and they can make a pay-per-view around him, they’re going to. And they’re gonna make money, good for them.”