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Pimblett Submits Saint-Denis in 52 Seconds, Eyes Title

7/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Paddy Pimblett submitted Benoît Saint-Denis with a D’Arce choke in 52 seconds at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, causing the referee to stop the bout.
The win raised Pimblett’s record to 24-4.
It also marked his seventh career submission.
UFC CEO Dana White called the performance incredible and said Pimblett earned respect after his loss to Justin Gaethje.
The victory positioned him to pursue a lightweight title shot.

History

Historical Context

Royce Gracie’s 1993 victory at UFC 1 in Denver—where 13,000 fans watched him submit three opponents and the event earned nearly 90,000 pay-per-view buys—proved Brazilian jiu-jitsu could dominate mixed martial arts. Over three decades later, Paddy Pimblett’s 52-second D’Arce choke at UFC 329 echoed that early emphasis on rapid submissions, prompting Dana White to tout the Briton as a future champion.

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Story summary

Paddy Pimblett submitted Benoît Saint-Denis with a D’Arce choke in 52 seconds at UFC 329 in Las Vegas, causing the referee to stop the bout.
The win raised Pimblett’s record to 24-4.
It also marked his seventh career submission.
UFC CEO Dana White called the performance incredible and said Pimblett earned respect after his loss to Justin Gaethje.
The victory positioned him to pursue a lightweight title shot.

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