‘Ilia vs. Paddy next?’: Pros react to Paddy Pimblett’s dominant submission win at UFC 329

Paddy Pimblett delivered a statement performance at UFC 329, putting Benoit Saint Denis to sleep in just 52 seconds and immediately drawing calls from the MMA community for a high-profile next step.

Fighting at lightweight on the card's co-main event, "The Baddy" erased any doubts lingering from his January loss to Justin Gaethje. Saint Denis came out aggressive but made a critical error attempting a takedown early—Pimblett capitalized instantly, securing a guillotine choke before seamlessly transitioning to a D'arce choke. Referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight after determining Saint Denis was completely unconscious.

Pimblett's peers were impressed. Featherweight veteran Billy Quarantillo praised the submission, while retired grappling authorities Kenny Florian and Glover Teixeira offered effusive reactions. Most significantly, veteran fighter Matt Brown took to social media suggesting an immediate title-contender matchup: "Ilia vs. Paddy next? Easiest matchmaking ever right?" referring to former two-division champion Ilia Topuria.

Post-fight, Pimblett was confident and brash, claiming he is ready for any opponent including McGregor himself if the UFC main event winner wanted to fight down. The win improved Pimblett to 10 wins in his last 11 fights and positioned him squarely in the lightweight title picture, with options ranging from Topuria to the victor of the McGregor-Holloway main event.