Pimblett would have considered retiring if he lost to Saint-DenisImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Paddy Pimblett has won eight of his nine UFC fightsByPaul BattisonBBC Sport journalistPublished21 minutes agoPaddy Pimblett says he would have considered retiring had he lost to Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 329 last weekend.Pimblett, 31, submitted the Frenchman inside 52 seconds of the pair’s lightweight contest at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The victory reignited Pimblett’s pursuit of the title following the Liverpudlian’s defeat by Justin Gaethje for the interim belt in January.
Speaking after the win, which was his 24th in 28 fights, Pimblett revealed he had told his coach Paul Rimmer he would consider leaving the sport if he couldn’t beat Saint-Denis.
“This fight camp wasn’t easy. About four, five weeks ago I turned to Paul and reported: ‘If I don’t win this fight, what’s the point in fighting anymore? I might as well retire’,” reported Pimblett.
“If I can’t beat BSD I’m never going to be world champ and that’s what I do this for. I do this to be the best in the world.”
Last month, American Gaethje beat Ilia Topuria for the undisputed title, setting up a potential rematch with Pimblett.
“Justin Gaethje beat Ilia Topuria and it was one of the biggest kicks up the arse I’ve ever had. It lit a fire underneath me and the last couple weeks of this training camp have been unbelievable,” added Pimblett.
