UFC superstar Conor McGregor’s stars don’t seem to be aligning as they once did. Since early last month, former UFC two division’s life has turned into a social circus after the High Court of Dublin held him liable in a civil lawsuit brought forth by Nikita Hand, imposing a hefty fine of over $250,000. This has led many of Irishman’s business associates to distance themselves, severing ties with him and tarnishing the Conor McGregor brand.

This development has caused waves of speculation in the MMA world. Will the UFC and its head honcho, Dana White, follow suit? So far, there has been no update, leaving some room for ‘The Notorious’ and his fans to hope for his return to the Octagon. But the question remains—who will Conor McGregor face next? With his previously scheduled opponent  Michael Chandler parting ways with the idea of fighting ‘Mystic Mac’ and embarking on a different journey, finding a suitable matchup for the Irishman’s return seems challenging.

While the answer remains unclear, former fighter-turned-analyst Chael Sonnen recently addressed this question on his YouTube channel, suggesting British sensation Paddy Pimblett as a potential opponent. Sonnen reasoned, “It’s important to look at it from that perspective because, who are you going to put him with? Chandler was a perfect opponent. Chandler still works. Chandler is the correct answer. But let’s say you’re not going with Chandler.”

Chael Sonnen also floated other potential matchups for McGregor, including familiar names like Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal. Despite competing in the same lightweight division early in their careers—though Masvidal later moved up to welterweight—’Mystic Mac’ has never faced him. However, ‘The American Gangster’ emphasized Dana White’s business mindset, which focuses on fights that pave the way for future opportunities.

Since Nate Diaz and Masvidal, like Conor McGregor, are in the twilight of their careers, Sonnen argued they might not fit into Dana White’s vision. Instead, he pointed to Paddy Pimblett as the ideal choice, explaining, “Dana does not play Checkers; he plays Chess. He is several steps ahead, and if your match does not have meaning for the future—a potential to take you somewhere else—Dana White will not book that match. So, that’s where you start to see if Conor were to return and not be in there with Chandler. That’s where you start to see the likelihood of Conor finding himself across from Paddy ‘The Baddy’ going up exponentially.”

The idea of Paddy Pimblett squaring off against Conor McGregor isn’t new. In fact, back in September, former UFC heavyweight-turned-comedian Brendan Schaub voiced his enthusiasm for a clash between the two British Isles stars in the Octagon. However, Brit has made it clear that any potential matchup would come with a specific condition. Let’s explore what Pimblett has in mind.

What is Paddy Pimblett’s condition to fight Conor McGregor?

Since the post-COVID era, the UFC and its president have introduced MMA fans to a wave of talented newcomers. Among these rising stars are UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and the #3-ranked middleweight sensation Khamzat Chimaev. However, one name that stands out and continues to capture the attention of fans and the MMA community is the rising British sensation from Liverpool, Paddy Pimblett in the lightweight division.

Paddy Pimblett has been a significant threat in the lightweight division since his UFC debut, after making a name for himself in regional circuits. His most recent victory over Bobby Green in his home country this past July solidified his status as a top contender. However, former Cage Warrior champion has only fought once this year. When asked in October about a potential second fight in 2024, Pimblett expressed doubt, citing issues with weight cutting.

Despite this, Paddy Pimblett revealed his willingness to face Conor McGregor, but at welterweight. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, ‘The Baddy’ shared, “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.”

What’s your take on Chael Sonnen’s claims? Do you believe that British sensation Paddy Pimblett would be the perfect opponent for UFC superstar Conor McGregor in what could be one of McGregor’s final octagon appearances? Drop your opinion below.