Paddy Pimblett pinpoints Benoit Saint-Denis' 'biggest weakness' ahead of UFC 329 - 'Fought a gang of crabs'
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Published 09/07/2026 at 12:11 GMT+1
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Paddy Pimblett is in a typically bullish mood ahead of his lightweight bout against Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 329 - live on TNT Sports Box Office and HBO Max. 'The Baddy' has promised to trap the Frenchman in Las Vegas.
Head-to-head: Saint-Denis v Pimblett "He's going to get caught with something"
Video credit: TNT Sports
Pimblett also ran the rule over Ilia Topuria's defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, saying it proved that a title fight was a lot closer for the Liverpudlian than previously imagined.
Prior to his own loss to Gaethje at UFC 324, Pimblett was on a seven-fight win streak in the UFC, but subsequently dropped to ninth in the lightweight rankings after being denied by unanimous decision.
Now the 31-year-old faces the division's No. 5-ranked fighter in Saint-Denis, who has not been beaten since being knocked out by Renato Moicano in September 2024.
And Pimblett will be wary of the southpaw's "aggression" when they go head-to-head on Saturday, July 11.
"His biggest strength is probably his aggression and his intensity, because he doesn't step back. He just comes forward constantly and tries to put it on you," said Pimblett.
But the fighter from Huyton believes his opponent's greatest strength is also his greatest flaw.
Pimblett said: "Same thing. It's his biggest weakness because he gets into chaotic situations where he's going to end up getting caught in something. I'm going to end up trapping him in something.
"Whether I catch his neck or hit him with a punch or a kick, he's going to get caught with something."
Saint-Denis has 11 submissions to his name, but Pimblett was convinced that he would get the better of the Frenchman on the canvas due to the standard of opponent he had faced.
"Me by a mile," said Pimblett when asked who had the better ground game. "Because he's fought a gang of crabs. Dan Hooker can't grapple to save his life.
"[Mauricio] Ruffy is a brilliant striker, but his grappling's not on that level. And then who else has he beat?
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"Don't get me wrong. People will probably start talking s*** about that, saying I haven't fought, because I fought Michael Chandler and Bobby Green. But Bobby Green would probably beat Dan Hooker."
And while his undefeated tag in the UFC is no longer intact, Pimblett thinks Gaethje's sensational win over Topuria at the White House means he is only three fights away from becoming champion himself.
"Yeah, of course it motivates you even more," he added. "Like it makes you think, 'Yeah, I am a lot closer to the title than I thought I was after losing that fight.'
"I'm going to have to beat BSD and then beat someone in the top three, something like that."
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Highlights: Gaethje wins brutal bout with Pimblett to become new interim lightweight champion
Video credit: TNT Sports
Topuria loss will 'change him forever'
In the aftermath of Topuria's loss, Pimblett caused a storm on social media, claiming the Georgian-Spanish fighter "quit on [his] stool".
Pimblett's post was in response to Topuria labelling him a "little sausage", mocking him for missing out on "the biggest paycheck" of his career.
And 'The Baddy' doubled down on his fiery exchange, adding that Topuria would never be the same again with his "aura" in tatters.
"He did quit on the stool," reiterated Pimblett. "That's not my words. That's a fact.
"He quit on the stool. Sat on the stool and said 'no mas' [no more] like a little b****. He's not a real fighter. Real fighters don't do that.
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Highlights: Gaethje stuns Topuria to claim undisputed lightweight title at UFC White House event
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I think it's going to change him forever because he's never lost before. His whole aura was based around being undefeated. No one could beat him.
"Now he's lost, he hasn't got that aura no more. People are laughing at him. I've lost. I've lost when I was younger. I lost on Cage Warriors and had to build myself back up, so I've done it.
"I know how to come back from that. He doesn't, and it's going to be a struggle for him."
Pimblett insisted that a bout between the two was "inevitable" at some stage.
"It's inevitable. We can't end our careers without fighting each other. It's inevitable," said Pimblett.
"I said Justin was going to beat him, because I know I'd beat Ilia Topuria, and I know MMA math doesn't work, but I know I'd beat him."
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'Not a real fighter' - Pimblett slams Topuria but targets 'inevitable' clash with former champion
Video credit: TNT Sports
How to watch UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 in the UK
The main card of UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 will be shown exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office.
UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 costs ÂŁ19.99 in the UK and can be watched via HBO Max, EE TV, Virgin Media TV, Prime Video and Sky. Details on how to purchase:
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