Paddy Pimblett believes Benoit Saint Denis will be hesitant to attempt takedowns against him due to the danger Pimblett poses on the ground. He acknowledged that takedowns are Saint Denis's default game plan but said he expects the Frenchman to think twice before shooting. Pimblett warned that once he lands strikes, Saint Denis will revert to his instincts and keep looking for takedowns regardless.
Paddy Pimblett has predicted that Benoit Saint Denis will be reluctant to shoot for takedowns when the two lightweights meet, despite wrestling being a central part of the Frenchman's game.
Pimblett, ranked sixth in the UFC lightweight division, acknowledged that taking the fight to the ground is Saint Denis's default approach but expressed confidence that the danger he presents on the mat will give his opponent pause. The Liverpudlian added a caveat, however, warning that once Saint Denis starts getting hit, instinct will take over and the Frenchman will return to hunting for takedowns regardless.
Pimblett, 31, carries a 23-4 record and trains out of Next Generation MMA in Liverpool. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach, he lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate and averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes — numbers that underline why he feels dangerous whenever a fight hits the canvas.
Saint Denis, nicknamed God of War, is 30 years old and holds a 17-3 record, sitting ninth in the lightweight rankings. The southpaw stands five-foot-eleven and shares that same 73-inch reach with Pimblett. His wrestling-heavy style is reflected in an eye-catching 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes, while he also averages 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes and lands 5.62 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, making him dangerous in all areas.
Why it matters
- A win for Pimblett would vault the ranked sixth Englishman closer to title contention in one of the UFC's deepest divisions.
- Saint Denis's 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes represent one of the most credible wrestling threats Pimblett has faced, making the grappling dynamic the central chess match.
- Both men carry genuine submission threat, meaning a ground exchange carries finishing danger in either direction.
