Paddy Pimblett Open to Welterweight Bout with Conor McGregor While Awaiting Lightweight Title Shot

Paddy Pimblett has made clear he has no intention of sitting idle while waiting for a crack at the UFC lightweight championship. The UK fighter, known as ‘The Baddy,’ revealed during a conversation with Demetrious Johnson that he is willing to move up to welterweight — 170 pounds — to take on Conor McGregor in the meantime.

Pimblett’s longer-term goal remains a shot at the 155-pound title, currently held by new champion Justin Gaethje, but the move-up fight against McGregor represents a marquee option to keep him active and in the spotlight while that opportunity develops. Speaking directly with Johnson, Pimblett laid out his intentions for the remainder of the year, expressing openness to the McGregor matchup at the heavier weight class.

The prospect of a Pimblett-McGregor fight would carry significant crossover appeal. McGregor is one of combat sports’ biggest names globally, while Pimblett has built a passionate fanbase of his own since arriving in the UFC and is widely seen as a future top contender in the lightweight division. A welterweight showcase between the two would sidestep any complications around the 155-pound title picture.

Whether the fight actually materializes depends on McGregor’s own timeline and UFC matchmaking, but Pimblett’s public willingness to take the bout keeps the conversation alive. With Gaethje now holding the lightweight belt, the road to a title shot figures to be competitive, making a high-profile interim matchup all the more appealing for ‘The Baddy.’