Pimblett chokes out Saint Denis in 52 seconds at UFC 329, calls out McGregor

Paddy Pimblett delivered one of the most emphatic performances of his career at UFC 329, submitting Benoit Saint Denis with a D’arce choke just 52 seconds into the opening round to bounce back emphatically from his January defeat to Justin Gaethje.

Saint Denis came out aggressively, but a reckless takedown attempt handed Pimblett the opening he needed. The Liverpool lightweight snatched a guillotine choke almost immediately, then transitioned seamlessly to a D’arce choke, squeezing until Saint Denis went limp. Referee Marc Goddard checked on the French fighter and confirmed he was completely unconscious before waving off the contest.

“Sub of the year, bitches!” Pimblett declared in his post-fight celebration. “I knew he was out. I had to say to Marc, he’s unconscious. I’m like a f*cking spider — when I got a hold of you, you don’t get out.”

Pimblett wasted no time turning his attention to bigger names. “What now? Am I finished? Who wants it next? If McGregor wants it, he can f*cking get it!” he told the crowd, calling out Conor McGregor directly after the finish.

The win carries extra weight given the context. Pimblett’s loss to Gaethje in January — a gruelling back-and-forth contest that many felt showcased his toughness even in defeat — left questions about how he would respond against another dangerous opponent. Saint Denis, a ferocious finisher in his own right, was no soft touch, making the 52-second dismissal all the more striking.

With the victory, Pimblett finds himself at a crossroads of compelling options in the lightweight division. A potential matchup with former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has been floated, while the outcome of the UFC 329 main event between McGregor and Max Holloway could open another high-profile avenue. Either way, Saturday night’s performance has firmly re-established Pimblett as one of the most dangerous — and marketable — lightweights in the UFC.