Paddy Pimblett compares Benoit St. Denis’ skillset to Justin Gaethje’s

Paddy Pimblett has dismissed Benoit St. Denis as a significantly lesser threat than Justin Gaethje, the interim lightweight champion who defeated him by unanimous decision in January. Pimblett will face St. Denis in the co-main event at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas.

The British lightweight (23–4) is confident he has a clear path to victory, claiming that St. Denis has no viable strategy against him. "I can't see how he beats me," Pimblett said. "He's gonna try to take me down and get choked, or he's gonna stand with me and get knocked out." He believes St. Denis lacks both the cardio and chin to replicate the kind of striking exchanges that Gaethje sustained throughout their fight.

Pimblett (23–4) emphasized the gap in quality, calling Gaethje "a completely different animal" and suggesting St. Denis (17–3) cannot match the interim champion's durability or output. "[St. Denis] won't be able to do what Gaethje did," Pimblett added. "He hasn't got the cardio to do that, and he hasn't got the chin." Meanwhile, St. Denis arrives on a four-fight win streak, with all four victories coming by finish—a record that suggests he remains a dangerous submission and knockout threat despite Pimblett's confidence.