Pimblett makes title claim with 52-second win at UFC 329Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Paddy Pimblett has 18 finishes in 24 winsByBobbie JacksonBBC Sport journalistPublished8 minutes agoLiverpool’s Paddy Pimblett submitted Benoit Saint-Denis in just 52 seconds at UFC 329 to strengthen his claim for a lightweight title shot.Pimblett stuffed a takedown and attacked the neck, sinking in a guillotine choke and closing out the co-main event in swift fashion.Saint-Denis refused to tap and referee Marc Goddard had to step in as the Frenchman went unconscious on the canvas.Pimblett leapt out of the octagon to celebrate before paying tribute to Liverpool and Portugal winger Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident 12 months ago.
It was Pimblett’s first fight since losing against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in January and the 31-year-old called for a rematch.
“Sub of the year. I’m like a spider. When I’ve got hold of you, you don’t get out and it’s as simple as that,” Pimblett reported.
“Everyone counted me out. Everyone reported I was finished because I lost to Gaethje but what now? Am I finished? Who wants it next? I’ll beat Ilia [Topuria] up, I’ll rematch Justin [Gaethje], I’ll fight Conor [McGregor] or Max [Holloway] next. Give me everyone and I’ll punch their head in.”
Pimblett takes his record to 24 wins from 28 fights, with seven of those victories coming by submission.
