Paddy Pimblett predicts finish of Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329

"Preparation is going great. I think he’s a very good fighter. I respect BSD, I think he’s very intense. He comes forward and tries to finish fights. He’s never won past the second round, but he’s not going to get past the second round with me, I think. I’ve got cleaner striking than him. I’m a better grappler and I’ve got better cardio. I don’t see where he can beat me, to be honest."

Paddy Pimblett, Lightweight fighter, via TNT Sports

The matchup presents a stylistic clash between Saint-Denis’s forward-pressure approach and Pimblett’s counter-striking and grappling acumen. Saint-Denis, known for his relentless pace, averages 4.19 takedowns per 15 minutes and carries a 100 percent career finish rate across his 17 victories. His approach typically involves chaining wrestling off the fence to hunt for submissions. However, Pimblett — a second-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt — is prepared to exploit gaps in that aggression. Pimblett suggested that Saint-Denis will likely avoid grappling exchanges, noting, "He does try and take everyone down, but I can’t see him trying to take me down because he knows I’ll submit him." Statistically, the fight hinges on several volatile factors. Pimblett holds a 44 percent takedown defense, a vulnerability that Saint-Denis is expected to target. Conversely, Saint-Denis has shown defensive lapses on the feet, absorbing 4.09 strikes per minute with a strike defense rate of 42 percent. While Saint-Denis possesses knockout power in his left kick and backhand, Pimblett’s durability, proven during his five-round war with Gaethje, remains a primary asset. Analysts note that if the fight enters the later rounds, the advantage may shift to the Briton. Pimblett averages 5.49 significant strikes per minute and has demonstrated the conditioning to maintain his output deep into contests. Meanwhile, Saint-Denis’s fights typically last an average of 7:10. Despite the statistical edge favoring the Frenchman, due to his current four-fight finishing streak and finishing rate, the betting market has moved to reflect a tighter contest as fight week progressed, with many viewing the outcome as a potential "coin flip." The stakes extend beyond personal records. A high-profile win for either fighter could lead to a title eliminator bout or a future opportunity for the 155lb belt in 2027. If Pimblett secures a knockout or submission, it may secure him a position as the first challenger for Gaethje’s title defense. If Saint-Denis wins, the lightweight title landscape may shift toward other top-ranked contenders. As the fighters prepare to step into the Octagon, the consensus among observers is that the bout is unlikely to reach the judges’ scorecards. Whether the result rewards the pressure-heavy style of the French fighter or the endurance and submission threats of the Scouser will be decided by the opening grappling exchanges at T-Mobile Arena.