Paddy Pimblett has expressed interest in fighting Conor McGregor later in 2026, following his upcoming bout with Benoit Saint Denis. Pimblett is willing to move up in weight to make the fight happen.
Reports surfaced on June 26 that Paddy Pimblett is open to moving up in weight to pursue a fight with Conor McGregor in 2026, though nothing has been officially confirmed by either camp.
Pimblett, 31, holds a 23-4 record and sits sixth in the lightweight division, fighting out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool. Standing five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach, the English orthodox striker lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate and averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, reflecting a well-rounded offensive game. His immediate focus, however, remains on a pending lightweight bout against Benoit Saint Denis before any higher-profile matchup could take shape.
Saint Denis, nicknamed God of War, carries a 17-3 record and is ranked ninth at lightweight. The 30-year-old Frenchman is a southpaw standing five-foot-eleven with a matching 73-inch reach. His grappling output is particularly notable — he averages 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.8 submission attempts in the same window, while also landing 5.62 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy clip.
McGregor, 37, holds a 22-6 record and fights out of SBG Ireland. The Notorious is a southpaw standing five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach and lands 5.32 significant strikes per minute. Pimblett's willingness to move above lightweight would be necessary for the pairing, as McGregor has not competed at 155 pounds in several years.
Why it matters
- Pimblett is a top-six lightweight and a rising pay-per-view attraction, making him a credible crossover opponent for McGregor
- A weight-class concession from Pimblett suggests the fight would likely take place at welterweight, adding a physical challenge on top of the competitive one
- The Saint Denis bout first must be resolved — that matchup pits two high-volume strikers against each other, with Saint Denis bringing a significant grappling advantage
