Updated

Updated · MMA Junkie · Jul 13

Benoit Saint Denis Apologizes After 52-Second UFC 329 Submission Loss to Paddy Pimblett

Updated

Updated · MMA Junkie · Jul 13

Benoit Saint Denis Apologizes After 52-Second UFC 329 Submission Loss to Paddy Pimblett

Q: After his stunning 52-second victory, who must Paddy Pimblett face next on his path to the title?

Paddy Pimblett’s most logical next opponent is **Ilia Topuria**. After submitting Benoit Saint Denis in 52 seconds at UFC 329, Pimblett moved to No. 5 in the lightweight rankings and re-entered the title conversation. The strongest case from the available reporting is that a fight with Topuria would serve as the key No. 1 contender bout on Pimblett’s path to a title shot. That matchup carries both sporting and promotional weight. Topuria is a former two-division champion coming off a loss to Justin Gaethje, while Pimblett has rebuilt momentum with a statement finish. Reports indicate the fight had already been discussed previously, and Pimblett’s win over Saint Denis makes it even more relevant now. Other names such as Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, Renato Moicano and Mauricio Ruffy have been mentioned as alternatives. But based on the current rankings, the title picture, and the existing interest in the matchup, **Topuria stands out as the opponent Pimblett likely needs to beat next if he wants to move directly toward a lightweight title shot**.

Q: Was Pimblett’s win a masterclass in jiu-jitsu, or a single, devastating mistake from his opponent?

It was both, but the decisive factor was Pimblett’s skill in punishing a bad decision instantly. Saint Denis made the critical mistake. He is generally most dangerous in striking exchanges, yet he shot for an early takedown against a fighter who had openly predicted he would do exactly that. Dana White called the choice “very, very crazy,” because it put Saint Denis directly into Pimblett’s strongest area. In that sense, the opening came from Saint Denis. But the finish itself was not just a lucky catch. Pimblett blocked the high kick, sprawled hard, recognized the neck exposure in transition, and locked up a D’Arce-style choke with enough precision to put Saint Denis to sleep in 52 seconds. That is elite opportunism and technique, not merely an opponent blundering. The result was the second-fastest D’Arce choke in UFC history, and notably the first submission loss of Saint Denis’s career. Pimblett’s own description supports that reading. He said he improvised it “on the fly,” calling it a mix between a D’Arce and a Peruvian necktie. Improvisation at that speed, under live pressure, is usually a sign of high-level grappling instincts rather than chaos. So the fairest reading is that Saint Denis created the danger, but Pimblett delivered the finish with top-class jiu-jitsu. The mistake opened the door; the submission was the masterclass.

3 articles · Updated · MMA Junkie · Jul 13

Benoit Saint Denis told fans on Instagram he was "sorry for disappointing you" after Paddy Pimblett submitted him with a D'Arce choke in 52 seconds at UFC 329.
The finish came when Saint Denis shot for a takedown and Pimblett caught his neck, putting him to sleep early in Saturday's co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Saint Denis said he is "learning through the pain" and vowed to return stronger, while also congratulating Pimblett and saying he believes their paths will cross again.
The defeat dropped Saint Denis to 17-4 and ended a four-fight winning streak that had included stoppage wins over Mauricio Ruffy, Beneil Dariush and Dan Hooker.