​Paddy Pimblett returned to the UFC at UFC 329 with a mission to rebound from his first defeat since 2018, and he did so in dramatic fashion, finishing Benoit Saint Denis in a blistering 52 seconds. In what many are calling the most shocking result of the night, the always-entertaining Englishman closed the show by forcing Saint Denis to submit to a D’Arce choke in under a minute, marking the second-fastest D’Arce choke in UFC history, with Kyle Daukaus holding the record at 50 seconds. After the fight, Pimblett could barely contain his excitement as he declared, “Sub of the year, bitches. I knew he was out. My man was face-down eating canvas.”
The sequence that set the tone for the night began early, with Saint Denis opening the action by landing a high kick just nine seconds into the bout before attempting a takedown. Pimblett immediately sought a guillotine, and as the fighters settled, Saint Denis found his head in a vulnerable position. Pimblett seized the moment and did not allow him to escape, locking in the D’Arce choke that forced the tap.
Following the finish, Pimblett celebrated in his characteristic fashion, turning the moment into a party and providing fans with the kind of post-fight moment that has defined his persona inside the octagon. The victory was a cathartic release for Pimblett, who had been riding a wave of scrutiny after his previous loss to Justin Gaethje, an interim-title showdown that turned into a five-round beatdown. That fight, in January, had prompted questions about his staying power against high-caliber competition, especially when viewed against the backdrop of his nine-fight win streak that preceded it.
In the aftermath of the Gaethje defeat, Pimblett addressed the doubters with unapologetic confidence. He acknowledged the perception that his career might be in jeopardy but fired back with a bold declaration: he was far from finished. “Everyone said I was finished because I got beat by Gaethje,” he said. “What now? Am I finished? Who wants it next? I’ll beat Ilia. I’ll rematch Justin. I’ll fight Conor [McGregor] or Max [Holloway]. I don’t give a f***. Give me anyone and I’ll punch their f***ing head in.” The post-fight energy extended beyond the cage as Pimblett even sang a tribute to the late Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother Andres, adding a personal touch to the moment and sending fans into a frenzy.
UFC 329 delivered a night of high drama, unexpected outcomes, and bold statements from Pimblett. The event also featured a full slate of results, highlights, and round-by-round updates that fans can revisit to relive the action from the evening. Pimblett’s quick finish of Saint Denis not only restored his trajectory after the Gaethje setback but also underscored his willingness to embrace intense competition and deliver in the moments that matter most. With the win, Pimblett reaffirmed his belief in his own abilities and his readiness to take on any challenge that comes his way, including potential rematches or fresh matchups against top contenders in the division.