Paddy Pimblett: ‘Perfect fight’ after UFC 329 would be Conor McGregor at Madison Square Garden

Paddy Pimblett is looking ahead to a potential showdown with Conor McGregor, should both fighters emerge victorious at UFC 329 this weekend.

Pimblett will compete in the co-main event against Benoit Saint Denis, while McGregor makes his long-awaited return to the octagon after a five-year hiatus, rematching Max Holloway in the main event. Despite suffering his first UFC loss to Justin Gaethje in January when fighting for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324, Pimblett has seen his stock rise among fans—a phenomenon he finds somewhat counterintuitive given his previous seven-fight winning streak that included victories over notable opponents like Michael Chandler, Bobby Green, and Tony Ferguson.

In an interview with UFC Europe, Pimblett acknowledged that McGregor is the main draw at UFC 329, which he expects will be among the most-watched UFC events ever. "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," Pimblett said. However, he made clear his ambitions should both he and McGregor win their respective bouts. "If McGregor wins and I win, I want to fight again before the end of the year," Pimblett stated, suggesting a potential matchup at welterweight at Madison Square Garden would be the "perfect fight" for him.

Pimblett emphasized the unpredictability of combat sports, noting that a single punch can alter the trajectory of every fighter's career. Before any potential McGregor clash materializes, however, both men must secure victories—a reminder that nothing is guaranteed in MMA.