Paddy Pimblett’s next opponent decision just got a lot more interesting. He submitted Benoit Saint-Denis in 52 seconds at UFC 329, snapping back from his first UFC loss in style. That win reopens the lightweight title picture, and the UFC has several real options in front of them.
How Pimblett Earned This Position
Pimblett lost a five-round decision to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in January, falling short in his first shot at interim gold. Six months later, he needed a statement win to stay relevant at the top of the division. He delivered one in under a minute against a dangerous striker in Saint-Denis.
That kind of finish changes how quickly a fighter gets booked again. Pimblett took almost no damage doing it, which matters for turnaround time. The UFC rarely lets a fighter sit long after a performance like that, especially one this clean.
Option One: The Justin Gaethje Rematch
Gaethje now holds the undisputed lightweight title after stopping Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 last month. Pimblett already fought him once and lost a competitive decision. A rematch with the belt on the line is the biggest fight the UFC can make for him right now.
Pimblett himself has said he would welcome that rematch, though he is careful not to demand it. Gaethje just fought last month, so his own recovery timeline will decide how soon this fight can actually happen. This remains the most valuable option, even if it is not the fastest one to book.
Option Two: The Ilia Topuria Grudge Match
Topuria and Pimblett have a real history. The two brawled at a hotel before UFC London back in 2022, and they have talked about fighting each other for years since. Topuria’s team says he expects to be ready to return by December after his loss to Gaethje.
This fight makes sense on pure storylines alone, since four years of tension rarely cools off in the octagon. The problem is timing, not interest. If Topuria’s recovery slips past December, this option pushes into 2027 and loses its window entirely.
Option Three: Charles Oliveira For The BMF Belt
Oliveira has won back-to-back fights, including a dominant win over Max Holloway in March. He also holds the BMF belt, which means a fight with Pimblett could headline a numbered event on its own. Oliveira remains the most accomplished finisher in UFC history at 155 pounds.
Pimblett has said openly that he believes he could finish Oliveira the same way he finished Saint-Denis. That confidence is notable given Oliveira’s resume, and it points to genuine belief in his own grappling rather than empty talk. This fight offers real stakes without needing a title on the line.
Why The McGregor Callout Is Off The Table For Now
Pimblett said before UFC 329 that he would fight Conor McGregor before the end of 2026, ideally at welterweight. That plan collapsed within days. McGregor’s knee gave out against Holloway in the same event, and he has since confirmed he needs surgery before any return.
This detail rules out the McGregor fight as a near-term option, no matter how much interest it generates. A recovery timeline built around a torn knee does not fit inside a single calendar year, especially for a fighter with McGregor’s injury history. Pimblett’s realistic options sit inside the lightweight division, not outside it.
The Smartest Path Forward
Arman Tsarukyan and Renato Moicano remain live names in the conversation, but neither carries the stakes of Gaethje, Topuria, or Oliveira. Tsarukyan’s inactivity and strained relationship with the UFC make his fight harder to book quickly. Moicano offers a fun style matchup but little title implication.
Oliveira is the most bookable fight today, since both men are healthy and available immediately. Gaethje remains the biggest prize if his schedule allows it soon. That is the clearest read on Paddy Pimblett’s next opponent question right now, and it comes down to who is healthy and available, not just who makes the most noise. For more on how this affects the wider lightweight picture, see our lightweight rankings breakdown, and check our full UFC 329 results and analysis for the rest of that card.
The Bottom Line
Paddy Pimblett’s next fight should be Charles Oliveira, and the BMF belt gives the UFC a built-in reason to book it now. Gaethje stays the long-term goal once his schedule opens up. The McGregor fight everyone wants to talk about simply does not fit this year’s calendar anymore.
For live updates on Pimblett’s next booking as it gets confirmed, ESPN MMA has covered his post-fight comments closely since Saturday night. Until the UFC names an official opponent, every option on this list stays a possibility rather than a plan.
