Paddy Pimblett cemented his status as a top lightweight contender by defeating Benoit Saint-Denis in a mere 52 seconds during the co-main event of UFC 329. The Liverpool native defended a takedown attempt before locking in a decisive guillotine choke. Saint-Denis lost consciousness, forcing referee Marc Goddard to intervene and stop the fight.
Celebrating his 24th career win, Pimblett expressed his desire for a high-profile matchup next, specifically mentioning potential rematches with Justin Gaethje or bouts against Ilia Topuria, Conor McGregor, or Max Holloway. Pimblett currently holds a record of 24 wins from 28 professional appearances, with seven of those coming by way of submission.
On the preliminary card, Next Generation gym teammate Luke Riley continued his impressive run by extending his unbeaten record to 14 victories. Riley stopped Kai Kamaka III with a technical knockout in the first round after overwhelming his opponent with strikes. Conversely, flyweight Lone’er Kavanagh suffered a setback in his ascent through the rankings, succumbing to a third-round rear naked choke by Brandon Royval after a competitive struggle.
The UFC has closely managed Pimblett’s career since his 2021 signing, and his recent victory puts him in a strong position for a title challenge. While a potential clash with Ilia Topuria remains a fan favorite, the promotion must weigh current injury timelines and divisional rankings as they determine the next step for the rising lightweight star.
