​Paddy Pimblett could thrust himself right back into title contention with a victory over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329, especially after the five-round war he waged with the then-up-and-coming lightweight champion Justin Gaethje in January. Although Pimblett came out on the losing end, the performance underscored his ability to stand toe-to-toe with elite competition at 155 pounds, and surviving 25 minutes with Gaethje is a significant mark in his favor, particularly since Ilia Topuria didn’t manage to go past the fourth round in their own recent encounter. All of this only strengthens Pimblett’s case, yet he has made it clear that he understands the route back to another title challenge likely requires a win this Saturday and at least one more victory before UFC would consider pairing him with Gaethje again.
When asked about other potential contenders for the belt, Pimblett dismissed the idea that Arman Tsarukyan should be next in line after a lengthy layoff since October 2025 with no clear return date. “He needs to fight,” Pimblett commented during UFC 329 media day. “He’s had like one fight in three years and he beat an absolute bum. He needs to actually fight. Not go around in a singlet tickling people.” Pimblett also pointed to Tsarukyan’s most recent win, a one-sided affair against Dan Hooker, which marked his fifth consecutive victory overall. He criticized Tsarukyan’s activity, noting that Tsarukyan has been more active in RAF, the freestyle wrestling promotion, than in the UFC where Pimblett believes him to be a regular fixture.
Tsarukyan, at present, is slated to compete at a RAF event in Georgia on the eve of a showdown against Colby Covington in Milwaukee, a fight that would occur one week after the RAF appearance. Yet none of those bouts take place inside the UFC, a reality Pimblett relishes pointing out, underscoring his frustration with Tsarukyan’s lack of UFC presence as a reason he shouldn’t be viewed as a top title threat. “Fight anyone. Just fight someone,” Pimblett urged Tsarukyan. “Get in the octagon and actually fight. Stop going around on your private jet eating food.”
Regarding his own fight, Pimblett exuded confidence that he would defeat Saint Denis on Saturday and move one step closer to potentially meeting Gaethje again in the near future. He acknowledged learning a hard lesson from his first bout with Gaethje—the mistake of waging a prolonged war with him—but he also noted that certain factors beyond his control affected the fight that night. “I’m not going to use it as an excuse, but the eye poke did change the fight in a big way,” Pimblett explained. “The damage on my face was from an eye poke right hand.” He elaborated, describing his inability to see clearly for about two rounds due to the eye poke, including a moment when he felt Gaethje’s thumb impact his brain.
Despite the adversity, Pimblett praised Gaethje for the victory and for his subsequent win over Ilia Topuria to claim the undisputed title. Now, Pimblett hopes for a second chance against Gaethje in the near future, a rematch that remains a highly coveted objective for the London native as he continues to climb back toward the sport’s elite echelon. The road ahead is clear enough: secure a win, demonstrate continued progress, and keep the door open for another shot at Gaethje, a matchup Pimblett believes could define his trajectory in the lightweight division for the foreseeable future.