Paddy Pimblett might have stolen the show at UFC 329.
On a card headlined by the return of Conor McGregor facing longtime rival Max Holloway, Pimblett set the bar high for highlight of the night with a stunning submission win over Benoit Saint Denis in under 60 seconds. This was Pimblett’s first fight since seeing his unblemished UFC record spoiled by Justin Gaethje this past January and he wasted no time reminding fans and pundits that he is a legitimate lightweight title contender.
Pimblett put Saint Denis to sleep to win his 10th fight in his last 11 appearances and he wowed his peers, with featherweight veteran Billy Quarantillo writing on Twitter, “Quick submission Paddy is the real deal.” Kenny Florian and Glover Teixeira, a couple of retired stars who know a thing or two about grappling, were also effusive in their praise for “The Baddy.”
The performance was so impressive, UFC veteran Matt Brown suggested that it’s time for Pimblett to have his long-awaited showdown with former two-division champion Ilia Topuria.
“Ilia vs. Paddy next?” Brown wrote on Twitter. “Easiest matchmaking ever right?”
Check out pros reactions from social media below.
