Paddy Pimblett believes Benoit Saint Denis will hesitate to attempt takedowns because of the danger he poses on the ground. Pimblett acknowledged that Saint Denis typically relies on wrestling but thinks landing strikes early will disrupt that game plan. He expects Saint Denis to revert to takedown attempts once he settles, meaning grappling exchanges are likely in the fight.
Paddy Pimblett has made a bold prediction ahead of his lightweight clash with Benoit Saint Denis, claiming the Frenchman will think twice before shooting for takedowns once he experiences the danger waiting on the ground.
Pimblett, ranked sixth in the UFC lightweight division, carries a 23-4 record and has built a reputation as one of the more threatening grapplers in the 155-pound weight class. The 31-year-old Liverpudlian fights out of Next Generation MMA and averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, giving credence to his warning about ground danger. He lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate, and his stated plan is to land early shots that disrupt Saint Denis before the wrestling game gets established.
Saint Denis, known as "God of War," enters ranked ninth at lightweight with a 17-3 record. The 30-year-old southpaw is one of the more relentless wrestlers in the division, averaging an impressive 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that sits among the highest in the lightweight rankings. He also strikes at 5.62 significant strikes per minute with a 58 percent accuracy rate, making him dangerous in every phase. His submission average of 1.8 attempts per 15 minutes suggests he looks to finish once the fight hits the mat.
Pimblett acknowledged that Saint Denis will likely return to his wrestling instincts once he finds his footing, meaning grappling exchanges appear inevitable. His argument is simply that the threat of submission will make Saint Denis more hesitant than usual when choosing his moments.
Why it matters
- A win for Pimblett would push him inside the top five at lightweight and strengthen a title case
- Saint Denis needs a statement performance to climb from ninth and remain relevant in a crowded division
- The stylistic contrast is sharp: one of the division's most active wrestlers against a fighter who thrives when the fight reaches the mat
