Ali Akbar Rosady
Liverpool, UK – Paddy Pimblett, one of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s most prominent lightweight contenders, has outlined an ambitious roadmap for the remainder of 2026, pivoting from a challenging start to the year towards a potential blockbuster clash. Following a pivotal contest at UFC 329, Pimblett envisions a monumental welterweight bout against the sport’s biggest star, Conor McGregor, staged at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. This aspirational target hinges entirely on both fighters securing victories in their respective assignments at the upcoming UFC 329 event.
Pimblett’s 2026 campaign commenced with a significant setback in January, where he experienced his first defeat under the UFC banner, losing an interim lightweight title fight to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324. While the specifics of the judging decision from that contest have been a point of discussion among fans and pundits, the official record reflects a loss for Pimblett. The Liverpudlian striker, who boasts a professional mixed martial arts record of 20 wins and 3 losses, has since been focused on his immediate return to the octagon. He is slated to face Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event of UFC 329, a bout that carries considerable weight for his trajectory in the competitive lightweight division.
"The perfect fight for me would be Conor," Pimblett stated in a video disseminated across UFC Europe’s social media platforms, articulating a clear preference for his next opponent should circumstances align. This declaration underscores a strategic vision that transcends the immediate challenges and aims for a legacy-defining encounter.
The context of Pimblett’s perception of his own market value is notable. Despite compiling an impressive seven-fight winning streak prior to the Gaethje bout, including victories over seasoned and respected competitors such as Michael Chandler, Bobby Green, and former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson, Pimblett expressed a unique observation regarding his public perception. "It’s mad, to be honest, because obviously, I won seven fights in a row, and I don’t think my stock went up as much as losing me last fight," Pimblett remarked. "I beat people like Michael Chandler, Bobby Green, Tony Ferguson, and people are just like, ‘Eh.’ Then I just got me head punched in for five rounds, and me stock went up. People are saying I lost, but I won, you know what I mean?" This perspective suggests that the highly competitive nature of his loss to Gaethje, a contest widely praised for its intensity and back-and-forth action, may have inadvertently elevated his status as a durable and exciting fighter, rather than diminishing it. Chandler, a former Bellator Lightweight Champion, has been involved in several Fight of the Year contenders since joining the UFC. Green is a long-standing veteran known for his slick striking and resilience. Ferguson, though past his prime, represents a significant name on any fighter’s resume.
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Pimblett’s immediate task at UFC 329 against Benoit Saint Denis (13-2, 1 NC) is formidable. Saint Denis, a French former special forces operator, has established himself as a relentless and aggressive force in the lightweight division, known for his high-pressure grappling and potent striking. Often dubbed "God of War," Saint Denis enters the bout with a reputation for pushing a brutal pace and seeking finishes. For Pimblett, overcoming Saint Denis is not merely about returning to the win column, but about re-establishing his credentials as a top-tier contender and validating his belief in his own "stock."
The broader landscape of UFC 329 is dominated by the long-anticipated return of Conor McGregor (22-6), who will headline the event in a rematch against former featherweight champion Max Holloway (25-7). This marks McGregor’s first appearance in the octagon in five years, following a significant hiatus that included recovery from a severe leg injury sustained in his last bout in 2021. McGregor and Holloway first met in 2013 at UFC Fight Night 26, a bout McGregor won via unanimous decision early in both men’s UFC careers. Holloway has since gone on to become one of the most decorated featherweights in UFC history, known for his relentless striking volume and iron chin. McGregor’s return, against an opponent of Holloway’s caliber, is arguably the most anticipated event in combat sports this year, carrying immense implications for the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
Pimblett openly acknowledges McGregor’s unparalleled drawing power, particularly in the context of UFC 329. "Mad being on the same card as Conor McGregor," Pimblett commented. "The biggest name in the sport. It’s nice for him to be back. This is probably going to be the most-watched UFC of all time. I’m not going to be the star of the show on this one. Definitely not. Conor is. But I’ll probably be the second star of the show." This self-aware assessment highlights McGregor’s enduring status as a global phenomenon, while Pimblett positions himself as a leading attraction on what is expected to be a record-breaking pay-per-view event.
Should the stars align, and both McGregor and Pimblett emerge victorious from their respective battles at UFC 329, Pimblett’s vision for a welterweight showdown at Madison Square Garden takes shape. "If McGregor wins and I win, I want to fight again before the end of the year," Pimblett stated. "I’ll fight him at welterweight in MSG. Something like that?" The choice of welterweight (170 lbs) is significant. While both fighters have competed extensively at lightweight (155 lbs), McGregor has previously contested multiple high-profile bouts at 170 lbs, including his two clashes with Nate Diaz and a dominant victory over Donald Cerrone. For Pimblett, moving up to welterweight would represent a new challenge, though he has previously indicated struggles with severe weight cuts to 155 lbs. A fight at 170 lbs would potentially offer a more comfortable cut for Pimblett and align with McGregor’s recent activities. Madison Square Garden, an arena synonymous with legendary boxing and mixed martial arts events, including several of the UFC’s most memorable cards, would provide a fittingly grand stage for such a high-profile encounter, amplifying its magnitude and historical resonance.
Despite his clear ambition, Pimblett remains grounded in the unpredictable reality of mixed martial arts. "We’ve got to let everything unfold. You don’t know what’s going to happen. Conor’s got to beat Max, I’ve got to beat BSD. Anything can happen, as we know. In fighting sports, one punch can change the whole realm of the game. The butterfly effect, it can change everything for every other opponent." This acknowledgement of the sport’s inherent volatility serves as a crucial reminder that while aspirations are high, the immediate and unforgiving challenges of UFC 329 must first be navigated. Both Pimblett and McGregor face opponents capable of derailing any future plans with a single decisive moment. The success of UFC 329, both for the individual fighters and the promotion, will lay the groundwork for what promises to be a compelling second half of the 2026 combat sports calendar.
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