Paddy Pimblett’s UFC rise accelerates after Conor McGregor’s fall

Paddy Pimblett’s UFC rise gathers pace after Conor McGregor’s UFC 302 loss on 7 June 2025.

What happened?

Paddy Pimblett is the British welterweight now positioned to seize opportunities left by Conor McGregor’s UFC 302 defeat. The Irish superstar’s first-round knockout loss to Leon Edwards on 7 June 2025 in Las Vegas opened a sizeable gap at the top of the division. Pimblett, 30, has spent the past 18 months compiling a 4-1 record inside the Octagon, including stoppage wins over Luigi Vendramini and Anthony Ivy.

Why it matters for Paddy Pimblett

For Pimblett, McGregor’s fall is less about one night’s result and more about the domino effect it triggers. The welterweight picture now looks fluid: Edwards remains champion, but the next logical challengers are either tied up with title fights or nursing losses. Pimblett’s recent performances-two finishes in his last three bouts-suggest he’s ready to step into that conversation. His next fight, scheduled for 11 October 2025 in Manchester, will be his first in front of a home crowd since UFC 297 in March 2024.

What comes next?

Pimblett’s camp has already penciled in a welterweight contender-level opponent for October. A victory there would push him into the UFC’s top-15 rankings and set up a potential clash with either Edwards or a resurgent Nate Diaz. Pimblett’s manager, John Gooden, told reporters the plan is to avoid another long layoff. “We’re chasing the ranking points now,” Gooden said. “Paddy’s signed through 2026, so we’re not waiting for anyone.”

How the division reshapes

McGregor’s exit leaves the welterweight division in flux. Edwards holds the belt, but the next tier is crowded with fighters who’ve either lost recently or are stuck in contract limbo. Pimblett’s blend of crowd energy, finishing power, and 6’1” frame makes him the natural beneficiary. His last two opponents averaged 7-1 in betting odds; he dispatched both inside the distance. That kind of resume is exactly what the UFC’s matchmaking department needs when it looks to rebuild momentum around a marquee division.