Paddy Pimblett stole the spotlight from Conor McGregor by swiftly defeating Benoit Saint Denis in less than a minute, rendering him unconscious.
Seeking redemption after his loss to Justin Gaethje, Pimblett aimed for a victory that could lead to a rematch and a shot at the lightweight title. Meanwhile, Saint Denis, who had bounced back from consecutive defeats in 2024 with four early finishes, was also eyeing a significant win.
Nicknamed the ‘Baddy,’ Pimblett, a favorite among American fans, made a lively entrance into the ring, drawing cheers from the crowd. Eager to impress, Pimblett thrived on the energy around him.
Rather than assessing his opponent’s strategy, Saint Denis rushed in with aggressive tactics, attempting to strike early. However, a failed leg kick left him vulnerable, leading to a swift takedown by Pimblett.
Pimblett wasted no time in securing a chokehold on Saint Denis, aiming for a quick victory. With his history of submitting opponents, Pimblett swiftly subdued the French fighter, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
The defeat was a setback for Saint Denis, who had been on a winning streak, positioning himself for a title shot. However, Pimblett’s impressive performance may have earned him a chance at the title and a rematch with Gaethje.
After his triumph, Pimblett called out potential opponents, expressing his confidence and determination to face anyone in the ring. His victory was crucial for UFC 329, especially after McGregor’s early exit due to a leg injury in his bout with Max Holloway.
In other matches on the card, Lone’er Kavanagh fell short in his flyweight title aspirations, succumbing to a submission by Brandon Royval. Additionally, Pimblett’s teammate, Luken Riley, maintained an undefeated record with a decisive first-round victory over Kai Kamaka III.
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