LAS VEGAS — Paddy Pimblett didn’t need much time to remind the lightweight division that he’s still one of the UFC’s biggest threats. Competing in the co-main event of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena, Pimblett submitted Benoit Saint Denis with a lightning-fast D’Arce choke just 52 seconds into the opening round, earning one of the quickest finishes of his career.
The victory marked an emphatic rebound after suffering the first UFC loss of his career earlier this year. There was little feeling-out process once the fight began. Saint Denis immediately looked to implement his wrestling, shooting for an early takedown against the dangerous submission specialist.
Instead, he fell directly into Pimblett’s trap. Pimblett quickly locked in a tight D’Arce choke before making a subtle adjustment by sitting down to the canvas, increasing the pressure around Saint Denis’ neck.
Despite attempting to escape, Saint Denis quickly faded unconscious, forcing the referee to intervene. The official stoppage came just 52 seconds into Round 1.
Huge Bounce-Back Win
The victory improves Pimblett’s professional record to 24-4, including 8-1 inside the UFC. More importantly, it erases the disappointment of his January loss to Justin Gaethje in an interim lightweight title fight.
That defeat snapped Pimblett’s nine-fight winning streak but has aged well after Gaethje went on to defeat previously unbeaten Ilia Topuria to capture the undisputed UFC lightweight championship.
Now back in the win column, Pimblett immediately reestablishes himself among the division’s elite contenders. For Benoit Saint Denis, the defeat marks a difficult setback. The French contender entered the bout riding a four-fight winning streak and had built a reputation as one of the UFC’s toughest and most aggressive lightweights.
Saturday night, however, became the first time in his professional MMA career that he was submitted. The loss drops Saint Denis to 17-4 overall and 9-4 in the UFC.
Lightweight Division Gets Another Contender
Pimblett has never lacked confidence, and performances like Saturday’s explain why. Finishing a dangerous grappler like Saint Denis in under one minute sends a powerful message to the rest of the lightweight division.
After briefly falling short against champion Justin Gaethje earlier this year, “The Baddy” is once again firmly in the championship conversation. If the UFC is searching for another title challenger, Paddy Pimblett just made a compelling case in less than a minute.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
