Paddy Pimblett names one condition that must be met to fight in UK again ahead of UFC 324 clash

Paddy Pimblett has suggested that he won’t fight again in the UK unless it’s at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium.

Pimblett is gearing up to take on Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in Las Vegas this weekend.

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Since he joined Dana White‘s UFC roster, the 31-year-old has made quite an impression by winning all seven of his fights.

But only three of Pimblett’s appearances have been in the UK, with the most recent occasion coming in July 2024 when he submitted Bobby ‘King’ Green’ in Manchester.

With a huge title shot against Ilia Topuria potentially on the horizon for the Liverpudlian, the question of whether or not he will fight on home soil again has been floated.

But unfortunately for British fans, he doesn’t expect too unless an unlikely deal to bring him to the home of his beloved Reds can be struck.

He told Sky Sports: “I think the odds are going lower and lower.

“It would be a shame, obviously but I don’t think anywhere is big enough, unless they come to Anfield – that’s the dream.

“I’ve spoken to people at the club about it before and they’d be happy to do it, the higher-ups at the club, but it’s just the UFC doing it.”

While Pimblett suggests that the door isn’t completely closed on another fight in the UK, the event logistics ultimately lie in the hands of UFC officials.

What is Paddy Pimblett’s plan?

The winner of UFC 324 this weekend is set to go on to face the full champion Ilia Topuria upon his return.

As Pimblett prepares for the biggest night of his career so far, he already seems to have his next steps mapped out.

He explained: “I want at least another seven or eight fights in the UFC, I think.

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“When I win this belt on Saturday, and then win the proper belt, that’s when people will start remembering.

“That’s what we’re in this game for. You want to become champ and defend it, and hopefully that’s what happens.”

Pimblett is confident that he can get past both Gaethje and his long-term rival Topuria and intends to make his dream of becoming a two-weight champion a reality.

He explained: “Obviously, everyone wants to end up becoming double champ.

“If I ever get the chance, I will, but I don’t just want to win the lightweight belt and move straight up.

“I want to win the belt and defend it. Then when I deserve to go up and fight for the welterweight belt, I’ll do that.”