Pimblett eyes McGregor clash by 'end of year'

Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett has expressed a desire to set up a blockbuster fight against Conor McGregor before the end of the year.

The Liverpudlian fighter is set to face off against lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis (17-3-0) in the co-main event of UFC 329 in July, but already has his sights set on what could be next should he beat the Frenchman.

McGregor is a among a number of potential opponents for Pimblett, who is also open to fighting long-time rival Ilia Topuria and newly-crowned UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.

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"I get offered fights and I accept them," Pimblett told Sky Sports. "When I beat BSD [Benoit Saint-Denis] - if the UFC want me to fight [Ilia] Topuria, I'll fight Topuria.

"I'd love to get that rematch against Gaethje and win the belt. You know, a lot of things happened in the fight that the ref should have done something about that he never did.

"Or if not, you know, I've heard McGregor's only got one fight on his contract after this. I'd love to fight Conor before the end of the year."

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The result of Pimblett's next bout is key for any future title fights.

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His epic five-round defeat against Gaethje resulted in a boost to his reputation as a fighter, but also prompted a drop in his UFC ranking to sixth in his division, below Saint-Denis. Pimblett is keen to reverse the damage as quickly as possible.

"[Saint-Denis] got moved above me for beating Dan Hooker, who's absolute rubbish.

"So I want my ranking back, and I'll do it by beating Saint-Denis up."

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