Paddy Pimblett Touted as Conor McGregor’s Only Viable UFC Return Opponent

Conor McGregor‘s potential return to the UFC lightweight division has sparked debate, with actor and talkSPORT pundit Blake Harrison suggesting that Paddy Pimblett is the only opponent the Irish fighter could realistically defeat. McGregor, who has been sidelined since breaking his leg in July 2021 during his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier, has not competed in nearly three years.

Harrison, known for his role in ‘The Inbetweeners,’ expressed skepticism about McGregor’s ability to compete against top-ranked lightweights. “Conor is no spring chicken anymore,” Harrison said. “Having been out of the cage for so long, and with certain videos circulating online, he doesn’t look like he’s in the best mindset or shape.”

Pimblett, a rising star in the UFC, remains undefeated in the promotion and has quickly become one of its most recognizable figures. The 30-year-old British fighter secured his sixth consecutive UFC victory in July, defeating MMA veteran Tony Ferguson. Harrison believes a matchup between McGregor and Pimblett would be a blockbuster event, even if McGregor is no longer in his prime.

“I’m looking down the rankings at lightweight. There’s not a single fight in the whole top 15 that I would favor him in,” Harrison said. “But a fight against Paddy Pimblett? That’s one he could win, and it would be huge.”

Alex Ritchings, host of talkSPORT’s new MMA show, disagreed with Harrison’s assessment, citing the disparity in experience and achievements between the two fighters. “There’s a mismatch in terms of profile between the two guys and what they’ve done,” Ritchings said. However, he acknowledged that the fight would generate significant interest.

Pimblett has previously expressed interest in facing McGregor, stating he would “of course” accept the opportunity if offered. With Islam Makhachev reigning as the current UFC lightweight champion and fighters like Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Dustin Poirier dominating the top five rankings, McGregor’s options for a comeback fight appear limited.

Harrison and Ritchings both agreed that Pimblett represents one of the few opponents McGregor could face while still being favored in betting odds. “Outside of Paddy, genuinely, the only people I’m really interested in Conor fighting is Tony Ferguson and maybe Dustin Poirier again,” Harrison added.

As McGregor continues his recovery and training, the possibility of a showdown with Pimblett remains a tantalizing prospect for UFC fans worldwide.