Paddy Pimblett to return during UFC international fight week

Paddy Pimblett has confirmed he will compete during UFC International Fight Week, though no official opponent has been named for the lightweight contender's return.

Pimblett, 31, holds a 23-4 record and sits at number six in the lightweight rankings. Fighting out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool, the Englishman is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. He also presents a submission threat, averaging 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, and his 73-inch reach gives him a physical edge in most matchups.

Fan speculation has pointed to three ranked lightweights as potential opponents. Benoit Saint-Denis, ranked ninth at 30 years old, carries a 17-3 record and is arguably the most dangerous striker among the rumored names, connecting at a 58 percent striking accuracy rate while landing 5.62 significant strikes per minute. The French fighter also averages 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts, making him a well-rounded threat across all areas.

Mateusz Gamrot, ranked tenth, brings a 26-4 record and considerable wrestling credentials to any conversation. The 35-year-old southpaw from Poland, who trains with American Top Team, averages an imposing 5.15 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at 51 percent accuracy.

Why it matters

• Pimblett at sixth and both rumored opponents inside the top ten means this bout would carry genuine divisional weight
• A win over either Saint-Denis or Gamrot could push Pimblett toward title contention in a crowded 155-pound landscape
• The stylistic contrasts are sharp: Gamrot's elite wrestling versus Pimblett's submission game, or Saint-Denis's high-volume striking versus Pimblett's own aggressive output, each present distinct challenges