Paddy Pimblett wants to fit another fight into 2026 after his bout with Benoit Saint Denis and is willing to move up in weight to make a clash with Conor McGregor happen. The potential matchup has drawn significant interest among fans.
Paddy Pimblett has expressed openness to moving up in weight to pursue a fight with Conor McGregor in 2026, according to reports that have not yet received official confirmation from the UFC.
Pimblett, 31, holds a 23-4 record and currently sits sixth in the lightweight rankings. The Liverpool native fights out of Next Generation MMA and has built a reputation as an aggressive, high-volume striker, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, reflecting the well-rounded grappling game he has developed under his team. His immediate focus remains an upcoming bout with Benoit Saint Denis, but he has indicated he wants to stay active beyond that fight.
Saint Denis, ranked ninth at lightweight, enters that contest with a 17-3 record of his own. The 30-year-old southpaw is one of the more dangerous grapplers in the division, averaging an imposing 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.8 submission attempts in the same span. His striking accuracy sits at 58 percent, and he lands 5.62 significant strikes per minute, making him a threat in all phases.
McGregor, 37, carries a 22-6 record and remains one of the sport's most recognizable names. The Irishman out of SBG Ireland stands five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach and has historically competed at both featherweight and lightweight. He lands 5.32 significant strikes per minute, and his southpaw stance has long been a stylistic complication for opponents.
Why it matters
- A McGregor bout would require Pimblett to campaign above his current lightweight home, adding a physical variable to an already intriguing matchup.
- Both men are high-output strikers, though McGregor's submission attempt rate of just 0.1 per 15 minutes contrasts sharply with Pimblett's grappling activity.
- The report remains unconfirmed, meaning no negotiations or UFC involvement have been publicly acknowledged.
