Paddy Pimblett has confirmed he will return to the octagon during international fight week. The specific opponent has not been officially announced. The post includes a poll asking fans to vote on potential opponents: Benoit Saint-Denis, Mateusz Gamrot, or Arman Tsarukyan. All three are ranked lightweights who would represent significant tests for Pimblett. No official confirmation has been provided regarding which fighter will face Pimblett.
Paddy Pimblett has announced he will fight during International Fight Week, though the identity of his opponent remains unconfirmed. The Liverpool lightweight posted a fan poll listing three potential matchups — Benoit Saint-Denis, Mateusz Gamrot, or Arman Tsarukyan — but no official booking has been made, and the contest should be treated as unconfirmed at this stage.
Pimblett, known as "The Baddy," carries a 23-4 record and sits sixth in the UFC lightweight rankings. The 31-year-old Englishman, who trains out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool, is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, a reminder that his grappling threat is genuine despite his striking-first reputation.
Benoit Saint-Denis, ranked ninth at lightweight, holds a 17-3 record and presents one of the more dangerous potential matchups on the list. The 30-year-old Frenchman, nicknamed "God of War," lands 5.62 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy and adds 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a credible threat in all phases.
Polish lightweight Mateusz Gamrot, ranked 10th with a 26-4 record, would bring a high-volume wrestling attack to the table. The 35-year-old southpaw, who trains at American Top Team, averages 5.15 takedowns per 15 minutes — a rate that would severely test Pimblett's 0.69 takedowns-allowed defensive tendencies on the mat.
Why it matters
- Pimblett is ranked sixth and a win over any of the three candidates would push him closer to title contention
- Saint-Denis and Gamrot are both top-10 lightweights, meaning the matchup carries genuine divisional weight
- The stylistic contrasts are sharp — both potential opponents are southpaws with elite grappling, areas where Pimblett has faced questions
