​Paddy Pimblett insists his jiu-jitsu is unmatched in the UFC after his performance at UFC 329. The British lightweight pulled off a submission in the co-main event in under a minute, defeating Benoit Saint-Denis in dramatic fashion and grabbing a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus in the process. In the aftermath of the victory, Pimblett opened up about his grappling prowess, his mindset on the ground, and the potential routes that could lead him back to title contention.
Pimblett needed just 52 seconds to finish Saint-Denis, a swift conclusion that came after a bold early takedown from Saint-Denis put him in harm’s way. Once the action hit the mat, Pimblett’s elite ground game took over. He explained that the finishing sequence was something he hadn’t attempted in a long time, yet his improvisational jiu-jitsu instincts allowed him to execute the move seamlessly. “Oh, I have never done that before,” Pimblett told reporters at the post-fight press conference. “I just did that on the fly. That’s how good my jiu-jitsu is. My jiu-jitsu is the best in the world.”
When pressed about what comes next, Pimblett emphasized that he isn’t fixated on a single opponent. Instead, he signaled his willingness to pursue any matchup that edges him closer to another title shot. “I wanna be world champion,” he declared. “I wanna be champion of the world. I wanna be the best… And I am gonna do that. I know that’s in my destiny… Whether it’s the next fight or the next 10 fights, I am gonna be a world champion.”
Earlier this year, Pimblett challenged for the interim lightweight title, but he fell short against Justin Gaethje. He acknowledged the possibility of a rematch with Gaethje for the undisputed belt, yet he also left the door open to a variety of other contenders who could push him toward the top of the division. Those names include Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria, and former champion Charles Oliveira, all of whom could serve as high-stakes tests on Pimblett’s path back to a title shot.
Beyond the immediate post-fight glow, Pimblett’s statement about his jiu-jitsu serves as a bold declaration to the rest of the lightweight division. He frames his ground game as a distinguishing advantage, one that he believes sets him apart from his peers and positions him as a mainstay among the sport’s elite grapplers. For fans and analysts, the question now is whether Pimblett can translate that self-assured optimism into a sustained run at the lightweight throne, continuing to evolve his game while navigating a division that is stacked with talent and hungry challengers.
As the UFC calendar moves forward, Pimblett’s focus remains clear: keep winning, keep showcasing his jiu-jitsu, and keep the title picture within reach. His confidence is unshaken, his grappling prowess indisputable, and his stated goal of becoming the world champion remains at the core of his career trajectory. Whether the next fight logistics align with his preferred timing or a different match-up arises first, Pimblett’s claim—he is the best in the world at jiu-jitsu and that he will become champion—will continue to resonate with fans and opponents alike as he pursues another run at the UFC title.