LAS VEGAS -- In mixed martial arts, moments make superstars, and Paddy Pimblett produced a superstar moment at UFC 329.
Pimblett (24-4) submitted Benoit Saint-Denis (17-3) in just 52 seconds on Saturday inside T-Mobile Arena, in the co-main event of a card headlined by Conor McGregor's return. It was Pimblett's first appearance since he suffered his first UFC loss -- a five-round decision to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in January. The finish came when Saint-Denis went unconscious, after refusing to tap to a D'Arce choke.
"I knew he was out," said Pimblett, on the finish. "I had to say [to the referee], 'He's unconscious, lad.' I told everyone all week he was going to shoot in, and I was going to choke his a-- unconscious. And my man was face down eating canvas."
The final sequence was actually initiated by Saint-Denis, who went into Saturday on a four-fight win streak. Saint-Denis threw an early left high kick to bring up Pimbett's guard, and then immediately level-changed for a takedown.
Pimblett, of Liverpool, reacted beautifully. He blocked Saint-Denis's kick and sprawled hard on the takedown attempt, before sliding in the choke as Saint-Denis went to his knees. It was a somewhat surprising game plan by Saint-Denis, considering Pimblett has twice as many wins by submission than knockout in his career.
"What a nasty choke he put on him," said UFC CEO Dana White. "It was an incredible performance for as short as it was. He gained so much respect in that last fight [against Gaethje]. My social team was telling me after that loss, he gained like two million followers. He came in tonight and it felt like he was world champ."
Pimblett is notorious for a high energy walkout, but Saturday felt his biggest yet through nine fights in the UFC. The victory opens a multitude of options for Pimblett, including his rival and former lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, a rematch with Gaethje or Max Holloway, who defeated McGregor in the main event on Saturday via first-round TKO when McGregor suffered a knee injury.
"No, not really," Pimblett said, when asked if there was a specific opponent he would like to face next. "I want to be a world champion. I want to be undisputed champion of the world. I want to be the first ever world champion from Liverpool, and I'm gonna do that.
"I know that's in me destiny. I know it's in me fate. Whether it's the next fight or the next 10 fights, I'm gonna be a world champion. It's that simple. If you want me to fight Justin next. If you want me to fight Posh Boy next. If you want me to fight Chorizo next. If you want me to fight Charles next. Anyone can get it
"I'll f---ing beat Ilia up, I'll rematch Justin, I'll fight Max," Pimblett said. "I don't give a f---. Give me anyone and I'll punch their head in."
After the match, Pimblett paid special tribute to honour Diogo Jota and brother Andre. "Obviously I wanted to do that in January," he said. "But when you lose, you can't start singing someone's song, can you, know what I mean? You've got to do it when you win. And it was quite poignant really because it was his anniversary a week ago and, you know, he's never going to be forgotten.
"He'll never walk alone; his family will never walk alone. And he's forever going to be number 20, lad. He's forever going to be remembered as a Liverpool legend, and I want the whole world to know that."
