Paddy Pimblett believes Benoit Saint Denis will be reluctant to attempt takedowns against him due to the danger Pimblett poses on the ground. Pimblett acknowledged that Saint Denis typically wrestles his opponents but expects his own ground threat to act as a deterrent. He added that once Saint Denis absorbs strikes, his instinct will likely revert to repeated takedown attempts regardless.
Paddy Pimblett has declared that Benoit Saint Denis will think twice before shooting for takedowns when the two lightweight contenders meet, confident that his own ground game presents too much of a threat to invite the grappling exchanges Saint Denis typically seeks.
Pimblett, ranked sixth in the lightweight division, holds a 23-4 record and carries a reputation that extends well beyond his striking. The 31-year-old Liverpudlian, who trains out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool, averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a figure that underlines why opponents can be wary of putting him on the mat. He lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, giving him a credible threat on the feet as well.
Saint Denis enters the fight ranked ninth at lightweight with a 17-3 record. The 30-year-old Frenchman, known as God of War, is one of the division's most persistent wrestlers, averaging an imposing 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes. He also carries a finishing threat from his back, posting 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside 5.62 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Pimblett acknowledged Saint Denis's wrestling identity but argued his own ground danger will force the Frenchman into hesitation. He did add a caveat, suggesting that once Saint Denis begins absorbing punishment on the feet, the instinct to shoot for takedowns will likely return regardless of the risk.
Why it matters
- A top-ten lightweight clash with genuine rankings implications for both men in a stacked 155-pound division
- The matchup pits one of the division's highest-volume wrestlers against a fighter whose submission threat complicates the usual grappling blueprint
- Pimblett's psychological framing shifts pressure onto Saint Denis before a single punch is thrown, making the early tactical exchanges critical
