Although UFC lightweight star Paddy Pimblett has a fight scheduled later this year, he is in Ireland, turning his attention to football rather than MMA. Today, Dublin’s Croke Park hosts the NFL’s 50th International Series game, drawing global attention and marking the NFL’s highly anticipated regular season game debut in Conor McGregor’s homeland. The Week 4 game will Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Minnesota Vikings, with crowds already gathering outside the venue.
The NFL’s efforts to connect with Irish supporters appear to be paying off, as the stadium buzzes with excitement. UFC star Paddy Pimblett also joined the league’s million-dollar plans for this landmark event, adding extra star power to the occasion.
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Paddy Pimblett joins forces with the NFL to spotlight Ireland’s International Series debut
This Sunday, Liverpool-born fighter Paddy Pimblett is stepping into the spotlight, partnering with $48.38 billion gaming giant EA Sports (as per MacroTrends.com) to promote Madden NFL 26, which released last month. On Instagram, ‘The Baddy’ shared a series of photos from the stadium, hyping EA’s newest edition of the iconic Madden game: “Didn’t just compete… dominated. Madden Ratings Champ in Dublin, give me that 99 OVR.” Meanwhile, the NFL has a long history of taking its games overseas, dating back to the 1950s. It saw a resurgence in the 1980s when the Chicago Bears faced off against the Dallas Cowboys in London in the inaugural American Bowl, which later became the NFL’s International Series.
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The NFL first launched its International Series in 2007, with London playing host to the league’s inaugural regular-season game outside the United States. Since then, the league’s reach has only grown, expanding far beyond the U.K. by staging games in Mexico City, Munich, and other global venues as part of its widening international footprint. Although the NFL enjoys widespread popularity in Ireland and across Europe, with games like Gaelic football drawing strong followings, the NFL has no plans to establish teams outside the United States. In the global sports landscape, American football occupies a unique position, distinct from other codes of the game.
With the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers both looking to extend their winning streaks, the intensity at Croke Park is palpable. Off the field, Liverpool’s own Paddy Pimblett has already stirred excitement, helping fuel demand that has led to the historic matchup selling out well in advance.
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Is Pimblett really Irish or proudly Scouser?
With Conor McGregor on an extended hiatus, Paddy Pimblett has confidently stepped into the spotlight. Unlike McGregor, he may not wear flashy suits or shades, but his sharp tongue and commanding presence inside the cage consistently put his opponents under intense mental pressure. Moreover, Pimblett’s accent often confuses fans, hinting at Irish roots; however, he proudly identifies as a Liverpudlian and fully embraces Scouser culture.
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Over the years, he has made repeated efforts to clear up this confusion in interviews. As he once addressed: “A lot of people comment on my YouTube and think I’m Irish. A lot of people don’t realize I’m English. It’s just Scouse, it’s the way we talk. A lot of our own country can’t really understand us.” Additionally, on ‘The Residency’ podcast, Pimblett shut down any Irish association once and for all: “I always get asked if I’m Irish, lad. People always think we’re Irish because of our accents. People always say we sound either Irish or Scottish when I’m in America.”