Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett secures quick submission win at UFC 329

By Nathan Crowley · Sports News Writer · July 12, 2026

By Nathan Crowley — 12 July 2026 — 3 min read

Pimblett’s Dominant Performance

Paddy Pimblett, a fighter from Liverpool, delivered a notable performance at UFC 329, securing a submission victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in just 52 seconds. This win has intensified his claim for a lightweight title opportunity. Pimblett executed a guillotine choke after stuffing a takedown attempt, causing Saint-Denis to lose consciousness before the referee intervened. This event was the co-main event of the evening.

Following his victory, Pimblett celebrated by leaping out of the octagon and paid tribute to former Liverpool and Portugal winger Diogo Jota, who passed away in a car accident a year prior. During his post-fight interview, Pimblett encouraged the Liverpool supporters present at the T-Mobile Arena to join in a chant traditionally sung by fans for the Portugal international.

This fight marked Pimblett’s first appearance since his defeat against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in January. He expressed confidence after the win, stating, “Sub of the year! I’m like a spider. When I’ve got hold of you, you don’t get out and it’s as simple as that.” He also challenged other fighters, including Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Conor McGregor, or Max Holloway.

Pimblett’s professional record now stands at 24 wins from 28 fights, with seven of these victories achieved by submission. Despite entering the fight following a loss, his first since 2018, Pimblett was warmly received by the sold-out crowd as he made his way to the octagon.

Other British Fighters’ Outcomes and Future Prospects

Earlier in the event, Luke Riley, who trains alongside Pimblett at Liverpool’s Next Generation gym, began the preliminary card with a TKO victory over Kai Kamaka III. This was Riley’s third appearance under the UFC banner, extending his undefeated record to 14 victories. Riley dropped Kamaka with a powerful right punch late in the first round, leading to the referee stopping the fight after a series of knees and punches.

However, Lone’er Kavanagh faced a setback in his pursuit of climbing the flyweight rankings, suffering a submission loss to Brandon Royval. Kavanagh, from London, managed to drop Royval early in the second round but was unable to secure the finish. Royval recovered and gained control in the third round, ultimately securing a rear-naked choke. Kavanagh’s hopes for a title shot, after upsetting former two-time champion Brandon Moreno in March, will now require a reset following his second loss in five fights since joining the UFC.

The question of what comes next for Pimblett includes a potential grudge match with Ilia Topuria. Their rivalry has been ongoing for four years, stemming from a clash during fight week at UFC London in 2022. Topuria has since won titles at featherweight and lightweight. However, Topuria’s next steps are uncertain after losing the lightweight belt to Justin Gaethje in June, and he also suffered a broken orbital bone, which may require recovery time. This could potentially create an opening for Pimblett to pursue a rematch or a title shot.

McGregor’s Return to the Octagon

In the main event, Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon after a five-year absence concluded in a 69-second defeat to Max Holloway. McGregor had not competed since July 2021, when he sustained a leg injury in a fight against Dustin Poirier. During the opening moments of this recent fight, the Irishman suffered a knee injury, leading the referee to stop the contest.

UFC commentator Joe Rogan noted that McGregor’s knee injury occurred when he attempted a jumping roundhouse kick, landing in an unfavourable position. Retired two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier also observed that McGregor’s eagerness to start fast after a long layoff might have contributed to the injury. Holloway expressed his disappointment with how the fight ended, stating, “For it to end like this, it sucks.” He also suggested a potential third fight between them. Almost 13 years prior, McGregor had secured a unanimous decision victory over Holloway at UFC Fight Night in Boston.

Pimblett’s only loss in the UFC has gained significance following Gaethje’s recent title triumph.

Source: bbc.com

Nathan Crowley

Sports News Writer

Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”