Paddy Pimblett submits Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 329 in under a minute
Yahoo Sports • 3 min read • Latest: Jul 12, 2026, 3:31 AM
Last updated Jul 12, 2026
Paddy Pimblett secured a dominant submission victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in the first round during UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Pimblett's win, achieved in less than 60 seconds, marks his first fight since a loss to Justin Gaethje earlier this year, reinforcing his status as a lightweight title contender. Following the impressive performance, fellow fighters have suggested a potential matchup between Pimblett and Ilia Topuria. Social media reactions from fellow athletes indicate widespread admiration for Pimblett's grappling skills and the effectiveness of his submission technique.
- •Pimblett defeated Saint-Denis via submission in under 60 seconds.
- •This fight was Pimblett's first since losing to Justin Gaethje in January.
- •Pimblett has won 10 of his last 11 fights.
- •Matt Brown suggested a fight between Pimblett and Ilia Topuria.
- •Social media reactions praised Pimblett's grappling and submission technique.
- 3:31 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Ilia vs. Paddy next?’: Pros react to Paddy Pimblett’s dominant submission win at UFC 329
- 3:31 AMMMA Fighting — ‘Ilia vs. Paddy next?’: Pros react to Paddy Pimblett’s dominant submission win at UFC 329
"LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Paddy Pimblett of England celebrates after forcing Benoit Saint-Denis of France to submit in the first round in their lightweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images Paddy Pimblett might have stolen the show at UFC 329. On a card headlined by the return of Conor McGregor facing longtime rival Max Holloway, Pimblett set the bar high for highlight of the night with a stunning submission win over Benoit Saint Denis in under 60 seconds. This was Pimblett’s first fight since seeing his unblemished UFC record spoiled by Justin Gaethje this past January and he wasted no time reminding fans and pundits that he is a legitimate lightweight title contender. Pimblett put Saint Denis to sleep to win his 10th fight in his last 11 appearances and he wowed his peers, with featherweight veteran Billy Quarantillo writing on Twitter, “Quick submission Paddy is the real deal.” Kenny Florian and Glover Teixeira, a couple of retired stars who know a thing or two about grappling, were also effusive in their praise for “The Baddy.” The performance was so impressive, UFC veteran Matt Brown suggested that it’s time for Pimblett to have his long-awaited showdown with former two-division champion Ilia Topuria. “Ilia vs. Paddy next?” Brown wrote on Twitter. “Easiest matchmaking ever right?” Check out pros reactions from social media below. Ilia vs Paddy next? Easiest matchmaking ever right? — Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) July 12, 2026 Quick sick submission paddy is the real deal #ufc329 — Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) July 12, 2026 Nasty sub by Paddy! — Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 12, 2026 Another level of Peruvian necktie @PaddyTheBaddy 👏🏼👏🏼 — glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) July 12, 2026 Wow What a sub, paddy did great — Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) July 12, 2026 Wow told you paddy had better grappling — Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 12, 2026 That was a slick transition. — Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 12, 2026 What an easy win for @PaddyTheBaddy congrats!! #UFC329 — GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 12, 2026 Paddy vs Arman gotta do it #UFC329 — Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa) July 12, 2026 Paddy put that boy to sleep ! #UFC329 !!! — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 12, 2026
"Paddy Pimblett had fighters buzzing with his incredible UFC 329 performance
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 12, 2026, 3:31 AM‘Ilia vs. Paddy next?’: Pros react to Paddy Pimblett’s dominant submission win at UFC 329
Paddy Pimblett had fighters buzzing with his incredible UFC 329 performance
- MMA FightingJul 12, 2026, 3:31 AM‘Ilia vs. Paddy next?’: Pros react to Paddy Pimblett’s dominant submission win at UFC 329
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Paddy Pimblett of England celebrates after forcing Benoit Saint-Denis of France to submit in the first round in their lightweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images Paddy Pimblett might have stolen the show at UFC 329. On a card headlined by the return of Conor McGregor facing longtime rival Max Holloway, Pimblett set the bar high for highlight of the night with a stunning submission win over Benoit Saint Denis in under 60 seconds. This was Pimblett’s first fight since seeing his unblemished UFC record spoiled by Justin Gaethje this past January and he wasted no time reminding fans and pundits that he is a legitimate lightweight title contender. Pimblett put Saint Denis to sleep to win his 10th fight in his last 11 appearances and he wowed his peers, with featherweight veteran Billy Quarantillo writing on Twitter, “Quick submission Paddy is the real deal.” Kenny Florian and Glover Teixeira, a couple of retired stars who know a thing or two about grappling, were also effusive in their praise for “The Baddy.” The performance was so impressive, UFC veteran Matt Brown suggested that it’s time for Pimblett to have his long-awaited showdown with former two-division champion Ilia Topuria. “Ilia vs. Paddy next?” Brown wrote on Twitter. “Easiest matchmaking ever right?” Check out pros reactions from social media below. Ilia vs Paddy next? Easiest matchmaking ever right? — Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) July 12, 2026 Quick sick submission paddy is the real deal #ufc329 — Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) July 12, 2026 Nasty sub by Paddy! — Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 12, 2026 Another level of Peruvian necktie @PaddyTheBaddy 👏🏼👏🏼 — glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) July 12, 2026 Wow What a sub, paddy did great — Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) July 12, 2026 Wow told you paddy had better grappling — Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 12, 2026 That was a slick transition. — Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 12, 2026 What an easy win for @PaddyTheBaddy congrats!! #UFC329 — GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 12, 2026 Paddy vs Arman gotta do it #UFC329 — Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa) July 12, 2026 Paddy put that boy to sleep ! #UFC329 !!! — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 12, 2026
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