Pimblett identifies Benoit Saint Denis' biggest threat ahead of UFC 329 bout

Paddy Pimblett has revealed what he considers the primary danger posed by Benoit Saint Denis ahead of their lightweight clash at UFC 329 on July 11.

Pimblett, known as "The Baddy," enters the fight ranked sixth in the lightweight division with a professional record of 23-4-0. The 31-year-old Englishman trains out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool and has built his reputation on a high-output striking game, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, while also contributing on the ground with 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His pre-fight comments suggest he has studied his opponent carefully and is approaching the bout with a clear tactical picture.

Ranked ninth at lightweight, Saint Denis carries a 17-3-0 record into the contest. The 30-year-old Frenchman, nicknamed "God of War," is a southpaw standing five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach. His numbers tell a story of a complete mixed martial artist with legitimate finishing ability across disciplines. Saint Denis lands 5.62 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy, and his wrestling is particularly notable — he averages 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes, among the higher rates in the division, while also threatening with 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• A win for Pimblett over a ranked opponent like Saint Denis would significantly bolster his case for a top-five spot in the lightweight division.
• Saint Denis' takedown volume — more than four per 15 minutes — represents a genuine stylistic challenge for Pimblett, whose own grappling output leans toward submissions rather than wrestling.
• Both fighters land at a similar pace, setting up a potentially entertaining striking exchange alongside the grappling chess match.
• The result will clarify the lightweight pecking order for two contenders hovering outside the top five and pushing toward title contention.