LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Paddy Pimblett of England celebrates after forcing Benoit Saint-Denis of France to submit in the first round in their lightweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pimblett chokes Saint Denis unconscious in 52 seconds

Ian Maule / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett made a major statement in the UFC 329 co-main event.

The lightweight star put Benoit Saint Denis to sleep with a D'Arce choke 52 seconds into the fight Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

NO WAYY PADDY PIMBLETT CHOKES OUT BSD UNCONCIOUS IN ROUND 1 #UFC329 pic.twitter.com/CV32vkDLuU
— Mohi (@mohithegoat) July 12, 2026

Pimblett is back in the win column after suffering the first loss of his UFC career against Justin Gaethje in an interim title bout at UFC 324 in January. Gaethje went on to become the undisputed champion with a win over Ilia Topuria at the promotion's White House event in June.

Pimblett, ranked No. 9 in the UFC's Meta lightweight rankings, is in line for another massive fight after earning the biggest win of his career. Saint Denis was ranked fifth coming in.

Pimblett, a 31-year-old Liverpool native, lifted his Octagon record to 8-1 with the victory.

Saint Denis' four-fight winning streak came to an end. The 30-year-old Frenchman hadn't lost since facing Renato Moicano in September 2024.