Paddy Pimblett Eyes Benoit Saint-Denis for UFC Comeback After First Career Loss
Liverpool lightweight star Paddy Pimblett has publicly declared his desired opponent for his highly anticipated return to the UFC octagon. Following his first professional defeat at UFC 324, Pimblett is calling for a major European matchup against France's surging contender, Benoit Saint-Denis.
A Tough Night and Immediate Recovery
Pimblett suffered a unanimous decision loss to American veteran Justin Gaethje in a grueling five-round battle that tested his endurance and skill. The damaging encounter left visible marks, with Pimblett later sharing images of his bruised face and revealing significant post-fight weight gain. Despite the setback, the British fighter has already returned to training, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to bouncing back stronger.
The Saint-Denis Showdown: A Logical European Clash
The proposed fight against Benoit Saint-Denis gains particular relevance due to recent ranking shifts within the UFC lightweight division. Saint-Denis catapulted to fifth place after delivering a spectacular knockout victory over Dan Hooker, while Pimblett dropped to sixth following his loss to Gaethje. This ranking change has clearly frustrated the Englishman, who questions the logic behind Saint-Denis leapfrogging him in the standings.
Pimblett believes this matchup would create tremendous excitement among European fight fans, pitting two of the continent's top lightweights against each other in what could be a pivotal bout for both careers. He views this as the perfect opportunity to rebuild momentum ahead of the summer fight schedule.
Alternative Options and Contract Readiness
While prioritizing the Saint-Denis fight, Pimblett has identified several backup options should the UFC pursue different matchmaking. He expressed willingness to face the loser of the upcoming Max Holloway versus Charles Oliveira bout, or even accept a challenge against Arman Tsarukyan if the promotion desires that direction.
"I'm ready to sign any contract they put in front of me," Pimblett stated emphatically during a recent YouTube appearance. "But the Saint-Denis fight makes the most sense right now. It's a true European showdown that fans would love to see."
Analyzing the Gaethje Loss and Moving Forward
Pimblett provided detailed analysis of his defeat to Justin Gaethje, describing how a sternum strike during an attempted uppercut left him temporarily unable to breathe, leading to the knockdown that proved pivotal in the fight's outcome. He maintained that this was a pain response rather than being genuinely hurt by a punch.
The fighter also pointed to an earlier eye poke that he believes should have resulted in a point deduction, potentially altering the final decision. Despite these observations, Pimblett acknowledged the defeat as a difficult but motivating experience that will drive his improvement moving forward.
With no injuries reported and coaches taking precautionary measures despite his readiness to spar, Pimblett plans to return to action this summer, determined to reclaim his position among the lightweight division's elite contenders through high-profile matchups like the proposed Saint-Denis clash.
