Paddy Pimblett secured a notable victory at UFC 329, defeating Benoit Saint Denis via submission in the first round. The lightweight co-main event bout took place on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Pimblett’s win came just minutes before the highly anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway.
The fight saw Pimblett, known as “Paddy The Baddy,” submit Saint Denis with a D’arce choke. The official time of the submission was 52 seconds into the first round. This performance marked a return to form for Pimblett after his interim-title fight loss to Justin Gaethje in January.
Prior to the bout, Saint Denis was ranked No. 7 at 155 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, while Pimblett was ranked No. 12. Saint Denis entered the fight with a strong record, having finished all four opponents during a four-fight win streak. His previous victories included fellow top 10 contender Mauricio Ruffy, and veterans Dan Hooker and Beneil Dariush. Despite a two-fight skid in 2024, Saint Denis had rebounded impressively, leading some to suggest he could soon challenge for a UFC title.
Pimblett, with a record of 23-4, had previously had an opportunity to win a UFC title but was unsuccessful against Justin Gaethje in their interim lightweight championship match. That loss ended Pimblett’s nine-fight win streak and his perfect UFC record, which had started with seven consecutive wins within the promotion. His victory over Saint Denis could potentially move him back into contention for a title shot.
Pimblett’s post-fight challenge and McGregor’s setback
Following his swift victory, Pimblett addressed Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview, declaring his submission as the “sub of the year.” He stated that he knew Saint Denis was unconscious during the choke. Pimblett had predicted the outcome, saying he would grab and choke out Saint Denis if he attempted a takedown. He likened himself to a spider, asserting that once he secured a hold, his opponents would not escape.
In his post-fight comments, Pimblett issued a challenge to several top fighters. He expressed a willingness to fight Ilia Topuria, rematch Justin Gaethje, or face the winner of the Conor McGregor versus Max Holloway bout. He conveyed a readiness to fight anyone, stating, “give me anyone and I’ll punch their head in.”
However, Pimblett’s callout of Conor McGregor was quickly overshadowed by events in the main event. McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the octagon, his first fight in five years and a rematch against Max Holloway, ended abruptly. McGregor suffered a serious knee injury just seconds into the fight, leading to the bout being stopped after 69 seconds. This outcome was described as a devastating and underwhelming end to his long-awaited comeback. Speculation arose that McGregor may have suffered an ACL tear, which could sideline him for an extended period.
Tribute and future implications
Beyond his challenges to other fighters, Pimblett also used his platform to deliver a tribute. He honored former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, marking the first anniversary of their tragic deaths in a car crash. The Liverpudlian fighter sang Jota’s “Number 20” chant and encouraged Liverpool fans in the crowd to participate.
The fight between Pimblett and Saint Denis was officiated by Marc Goddard. The crowd responded enthusiastically as Pimblett made his entrance. The bout began with both fighters engaging immediately, and Pimblett quickly gained the upper hand, securing the choke that led to Saint Denis being rendered unconscious. This decisive victory places Pimblett in a strong position within the lightweight division, despite the unfortunate turn of events for McGregor in the main event.
The UFC 329 event featured significant matchups, with Pimblett’s win serving as a highlight on the undercard before the main event. His performance demonstrated his grappling skills and ability to finish fights quickly. The submission victory was officially recorded at 0:52 of the first round.
Read Also
Source: mmafighting.com