​Paddy Pimblett is drawing confidence from his recent loss to Justin Gaethje as he prepares for a pivotal return. The Baddy is set to step back into the octagon this weekend (Saturday, July 11, 2026) at UFC 329, where he faces Benoit Saint-Denis in a narrowly focused Lightweight contest that could help shape the next title challenger. This will mark Pimblett’s first fight since a high-profile battle with Gaethje in January, a matchup that, in retrospect, seems to have aged well for Pimblett. He went the distance with Gaethje, exchanging blows for five rounds, while his longtime rival Ilia Topuria was finished at the end of the fourth round in a separate clash (highlights available for reference).
There’s even some debate over which performance was more impressive: Pimblett’s effort against the reigning champion or Topuria’s stoppage. The comparison becomes more intriguing when Gaethje weighs in on a potential Pimblett-Topuria showdown. Speaking with Shakiel Mahjouri at the 2026 UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, Gaethje broke down both fighters and offered his take on how a future matchup might unfold.
“Ilia is one of the best in the world,” Gaethje acknowledged. “He’s one of the most dangerous fighters out there, and he’s far more dangerous than Paddy Pimblett. Yet Paddy Pimblett is goofy in a good way. His style is funky—not goofy in a negative sense. Being goofy can be an advantage. He’s really hard to hit, and he’s got surprising length. He moves in unconventional angles and at varying tempos. That unpredictability is what has fueled his success.”
Gaethje added, “I consider Ilia to be far more dangerous. In the realm of fighting, it’s a wild sport. In my view, 97 times out of 100, Ilia would beat him up.”
As Pimblett prepares to face Saint-Denis, the looming possibility of a Topuria bout remains a tantalizing option for fans and critics alike. Both men are among the brightest young stars on the UFC roster, and a clash between them could carry significant implications for the lightweight division’s hierarchy. A Pimblett-Topuria showdown would bring intensity, momentum, and a dose of personal rivalry that often fuels some of the sport’s most memorable moments. If such a fight comes to fruition, it could quickly become one of the year’s most anticipated main events, driven by the tension between two rising talents with everything to prove.
If and when that matchup materializes, the question will pivot to how the styles clash when “dangerous” meets “goofy”—and which approach ultimately determines the outcome. For now, Pimblett focuses on Saint-Denis, confident that his evolving game and past learning experiences can propel him toward a decisive victory and keep him on track for a title opportunity in the near future.