Paddy Pimblett is targeting another fight in 2026 following his bout with Benoit Saint Denis and has indicated he would be willing to move up in weight to face Conor McGregor. The potential matchup remains unconfirmed.
Paddy Pimblett has signaled a willingness to move up in weight to chase a fight with Conor McGregor in 2026, though the potential matchup remains unconfirmed and unscheduled as of this report.
Pimblett, 31, enters the conversation off the back of his scheduled bout with Benoit Saint Denis. The Liverpool native carries a 23-4 record and sits sixth in the UFC lightweight rankings. Fighting out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool in an orthodox stance, he stands five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach and has built a reputation as a high-volume striker, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. He also attempts 1.2 submissions per 15 minutes, underlining the submission threat he brings from the ground.
His upcoming opponent, Benoit Saint Denis, is ranked ninth at lightweight with a 17-3 record. The 30-year-old Frenchman known as God of War fights out of a southpaw stance and is one of the more dangerous wrestlers in the division, averaging 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.8 submission attempts in the same window. He also lands 5.62 significant strikes per minute at a sharp 58 percent accuracy.
The fighter Pimblett says he would move up to meet, Conor McGregor, holds a 22-6 record and is 37 years old. The Notorious fights southpaw out of SBG Ireland, stands five-foot-nine, and carries a 74-inch reach. McGregor has historically competed at featherweight and lightweight, where he held championship gold.
Why it matters
- A weight-class move would take Pimblett out of the lightweight top-ten picture, at least temporarily
- McGregor has not been active recently, making any 2026 timeline speculative
- The stylistic contrast — Pimblett's submission game against McGregor's counter-striking — would make for an intriguing matchup on paper
- Saint Denis remains the immediate priority for Pimblett before any superstar callout can progress
