Paddy Pimblett is hoping to continue climbing up the lightweight rankings when he meets Michael Chandler at UFC 314 this month.
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Conor McGregor (left) and Liverpool's UFC star Paddy Pimblett.
Conor McGregor (left) and Liverpool's UFC star Paddy Pimblett.
Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett has reiterated his desire to one day fight former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor, and said he would love the bout to happen at Anfield if he becomes a UFC champion. Huyton-born Pimblett is currently ranked 12th in the lightweight division - and will hope to move up the standings with a win against Michael Chandler at UFC 314 on April 12.
If he beats the American, he will become one of the seven fighters at 155lbs. Pimblett, though, isn't planning on stopping there and already has his sights set on eventually dethroning lightweight champion Islam Makachev, or whoever holds the belt, in 2026.
When appearing on the ECHO's Blood Red podcast last month, Pimblett said that if he beats Chandler, then he would like to challenge someone in the top-five before making a play for the belt early next year. Now, the MMA star has gone one step further by admitting that he has his eyes on a superfight with former two-weight champion McGregor at the home of his beloved Liverpool FC, Anfield.
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Speaking to Shakiel Mahjouri, Pimblett said: "My plan is to fight a top-five opponent, then fight for the belt. And then my first title defence could be Conor McGregor at Anfield.
"That is perfect because that's where the money is and I'm selling Anfield out, me and Conor."
Ex-featherweight and lightweight champion McGregor hasn't fought since he was defeated by Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, although he has two fights remaining on his deal with the promotion. Prior to his outing at UFC 304 in July 2024, Pimblett told the ECHO that he had spoken to the Liverpool FC CEO, Billy Hogan, about the possibility of bringing the UFC to Anfield and "they want to do it".
Meanwhile, Liverpudlian also said he would like to fight former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Last month, UFC chief Dana White revealed the Georgian had vacated his belt at 145lbs - to move up the lightweight division.
And, as a result, Pimblett has his eyes on Topuria, who he clashed with at various UFC events in 2022. "Obviously I want to batter hand sanitiser boy [Topuria]," added Pimblett.
"I want to show him how small he is and show him that he's got little man syndrome.”