Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett Chokes Out Benoit Saint Denis in 52 Seconds at UFC 329

Paddy Pimblett needed less than a minute to erase his first UFC loss, submitting Benoit Saint Denis via D’Arce choke just 52 seconds into their lightweight co-main event at UFC 329 on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Pimblett entered as a modest underdog against Saint Denis, a former French Army Special Forces soldier ranked No. 5 in the division and riding a four-fight finishing streak.

Pimblett blocked an early kick and sprawled hard on a takedown attempt from Saint Denis before sliding into the choke as his opponent dropped to his knees. Saint Denis was in trouble within 15 seconds of the opening bell, with Pimblett tightening the hold as Saint Denis rolled, searching for an escape before going limp. The official finish was ruled at 0:52 of round one — the second-fastest D’Arce choke submission in UFC history, behind only Kyle Daukaus‘ 50-second finish.

“Sub of the year, b—es. I knew he was out,” Pimblett said afterward. “My man was face-down eating canvas.”

UFC CEO Dana White was similarly effusive, telling reporters, that it was “an incredible performance for as short as it was,” and noting that Pimblett’s social following had ballooned even after his last loss.

The win reverses a rough start to the year for Pimblett (24-4), who dropped an interim lightweight title bout to current champion Justin Gaethje in January — a loss that snapped a nine-fight winning streak that included stoppages over Michael Chandler and King Green.

Riding the momentum, Pimblett wasted no time calling out potential next opponents. “I’ll f—ing beat Ilia up, I’ll rematch Justin, I’ll fight Max,” he said, referring to rival Ilia Topuria, a Gaethje rematch, and Max Holloway, who had just defeated Conor McGregor in the night’s main event. “I don’t give a f—. Give me anyone, and I’ll punch their head in.”

Pimblett also used the moment for a personal tribute, dedicating the win to late Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre, whose anniversaries had passed the week before. “I wanted to do that in January,” he said, explaining he’d held off because he lost that fight. “He’ll never walk alone; his family will never walk alone. And he’s forever going to be number 20, lad.”

The performance also earned Pimblett a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus, one of several handed out on the card.

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Article by Erik Meers