UFC lightweight contender Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett has claimed that he would like to fight Conor McGregor if the Irishman were to return to UFC action when his 18-month suspension for violating anti-doping policy expires on 20 March.
Pimblett is currently plotting his next fight following his recent defeat to Justin Gaethje.
Gaethje will headline UFC Freedom 250: The White House card, which will take place on 14 June — US President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday — with the American set to take on lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Meanwhile, Liverpool-based Pimblett does not have a bout arranged, but will no doubt be keen to return to the Octagon soon after suffering the first defeat of his UFC career.
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But who will Pimblett face when he returns?
While the answer to that question remains unclear, the prospect of Pimblett facing McGregor would certainly whet the appetite of Dana White and UFC fans.
And Pimblett himself has admitted that he would be an “idiot” to turn down such an opportunity if it were offered once McGregor is cleared to fight, having served his 18-month suspension.
The 37-year-old missed three biological sample collections within 12 months in 2024, according to Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD).
Speaking to SPORTbible on behalf of Casino.org, in February, Pimblett said: “Yeah, of course [I’d fight Conor McGregor].
“If Conor wanted to fight me, I would fight him all day long.
“Everyone knows how good Conor is and how he changed the sport, but the sport moves on. It’s a different trajectory now. It’s a completely different sport.
“But if, as I said, he wanted to fight me, I’m not going to say no, am I?
“He’s the biggest star the sport has ever seen. He made the sport what it is, so if he ever wanted to fight me, I’d fight him in a heartbeat. Anyone who says otherwise is an idiot.”
McGregor, who has not fought since losing to Dustin Poirier in 2021, is free to return to action on 20 March.
The Irishman claimed he would return “sometime in the summer” of 2026 when he spoke to Drinklitt earlier in March.
Just last week, former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman hinted that he and McGregor could fight this year via a post on X.
“Usman x McGregor 2026 👀,” he wrote, which provoked a mixed reaction from fans.
However, neither Pimblett nor McGregor currently have bouts officially confirmed.
Topics: UFC, Paddy Pimblett, Conor McGregor, MMA, Justin Gaethje, Dana White
Luke Davies