At long last, Paddy Pimblett is fighting on the same card as Conor McGregor. One of the double-champ’s many disciples will face lightweight contender Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event of UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 in Las Vegas.
Saint Denis (17–3, 9–3 UFC) is riding an impressive four-fight surge, capped by a second-round TKO win over Dan Hooker at UFC 325 in January. One week earlier, Pimblett (23–4, 7–1 UFC) suffered his first Octagon loss — dropping a valiant unanimous decision to eventual lightweight champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 324.
Saint-Denis enters as a -135 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Pimblett is a +114 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 2.5 rounds.
Saint-Denis vs. Pimblett Preview
Benoit Saint-Denis (#5)
- 17–3 (9–3 UFC)
- 6–2 (T)KO
- 11–0 SUB
Benoit Saint-Denis is really good at hurting people. Dubbed “God of War,” the hard-hitting Frenchman boasts a 100 percent career finish rate, with six knockouts and 11 submissions.
Saint-Denis, 30, enters Saturday night riding a dominant run of form. His four-fight winning streak has featured victories over Mauricio Ruffy (R2 SUB) and Dan Hooker (R2 TKO). After putting a lackluster 2024 in the rearview mirror, Saint-Denis has reminded the division that he’s still one of the most explosive, violent, and dangerous lightweights in the world.
But not unconquerable. Employing ruthless aggression at a breakneck pace, Saint-Denis can sometimes overcommit, neglect defense, and gas himself out. He’ll be looking to close the distance — either by backing Pimblett against the cage or working the clinch — to finish the job early.
Paddy Pimblett (#9)
- 23–4 (7–1 UFC)
- 7–0 (T)KO
- 10–1 SUB
The UFC’s nascent META rankings have placed Paddy Pimblett as the No. 9 lightweight in the world. Judging from his last performance, that ranking feels like a slap in the face.
Paddy “The Baddy” kicked off the Paramount Era in January with a five-round war with Justin Gaethje — a loss that has aged exceptionally well following Gaethje’s stunning championship victory over Ilia Topuria at the White House.
While the outspoken Liverpudlian lacks knockout power, he complements his all-action style with a chin made of bedrock and a second-degree black belt in jiu jitsu. Before his loss to Gaethje, Pimblett scored the interim title shot with back-to-back finishes over King Green (R1 SUB) and Michael Chandler (R3 TKO).
He’ll be hunting another statement performance as he attempts to rejoin the lightweight title conversation.
Saint-Denis vs. Pimblett Pick, Best Bet
Pimblett is still searching for his signature win inside the Octagon, and there’s a strong possibility that he will find it on Saturday night. He enters the co-main event of UFC 329 as the quicker and far more durable fighter — Scousers don’t get knocked out — and could wear Saint-Denis out in his relentless pursuit of a finish. Pimblett proved in January that he can survive a dogfight, and there’s solid value in backing “The Baddy” to conquer the “God of War.”
