Paddy Pimblett names his condition for Conor McGregor UFC grudge fight

Paddy Pimblett has revealed it's 'too late' to fight at lightweight before the end of the year, but is open to the idea of fighting at welterweight amid rumours of a fight with .

'The Baddy' has been a breath of fresh air since signing with the back in 2021, and has already defeated the likes of Jordan Leavitt, Jared Gordon and Tony Ferguson. The 29-year-old recently secured the biggest win of his MMA career in July, at UFC 304 in Manchester.

It's well known that Pimblett is a self-admitted 'foodie' and he loves to binge on junk food, with the Scouser often receiving more attention for his eating habits instead of his fights. The Liverpudlian thinks people make too much of his weight gain outside of camp and it shouldn't be any of their business, stating back in 2022: "If I want to get chubby in the off season then I'll get chubby, end of. I started this camp at 193lb, a lot of people start camps heavier than that. I certainly know that isn't a big weight cut."

There's no harm in wanting to enjoy yourself after a gruelling fight camp and, following his recent win over Green, it seems Pimblett has ruled out competing at lightweight before the end of the year because it means he has to cut all the way back down to 155. While he hasn't got a fight booked yet, should he step foot inside the cage before the new year, a move up to welterweight seems more likely.

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Over the years, Pimblett has always been open to a fight with McGregor. In an interview with the , 'The Baddy' named his condition for a showdown with the former-two division champion as well as a potential clash with Colby Covington. “Any MMA fighter who says, ‘No, I wouldn’t fight him’ is lying. Simple as that. I saw Ilia [Topuria] saying it the other day. Lad, you would. Stop lying. Every single person in this sport, if you get offered Conor McGregor, you’re fighting Conor McGregor."

He added: “I actually said that to my manager. It’s too late now to make lightweight for the UFC events at the end of the year. I’d rather not kill myself trying to make weight – but if they want to get me Colby [Covington] or McGregor at welterweight, I’d do it. I’d fight either at welterweight because they aren’t massive welterweights. I don’t think many welterweights are that big compared to me. I only realised how big of a lightweight I am when I fought Bobby.”

One man who is open to a potential showdown between Pimblett and McGregor is former UFC heavyweight fighter, Brendan Schaub. The American believes the Irishman should face someone lower down the rankings. Given how long it's been since 'The Notorious' last fought, the 41-year-old feels as if a showdown with 'The Baddy' makes a lot of sense.

On a , the American said: “Let’s say he’s back mid-summer, like Q2, early Q3, let’s say Paddy Pimblett gets one more big win. Bobby Green was ranked in the top 15, let’s say he gets one more marquee win… Paddy Pimblett vs. Conor? You wouldn’t watch that?”

He continued: “It puts Paddy on, and it’s [a good fight]. Conor has a significant advantage in striking, on the ground [it’s Paddy]. That’d be a fun fight. Paddy’s a huge name man, huge name, especially internationally he’s a massive star. It makes sense. You do that, or Max Holloway [for Conor], that’s what I’d do.”