Paddy Pimblett Draws Benoit Saint Denis for UFC 329

paddy pimblett has been added to UFC 329 in Las Vegas for a lightweight bout with Benoit Saint Denis. The booking sends Pimblett back into action for the first time since his decision loss to Justin Gaethje in a fight for the promotion’s interim lightweight title this past January.

Pimblett’s return to Las Vegas

The matchup pairs Pimblett with a fighter who is riding a four-fight win streak. Saint Denis most recently beat Dan Hooker by TKO this past February at UFC 325, and he also knocked out Beneil Dariush in 16 seconds at UFC 322.

Pimblett’s last defeat ended a nine-fight winning streak. That run had included stoppage victories over Michael Chandler and King Green, which made the loss to Gaethje his first setback in that stretch.

Saint Denis brings momentum

Saint Denis enters the bout with recent form that keeps him in the lightweight picture. The combination of a four-fight run and two recent finishes gives UFC 329 another high-profile 155-pound fight on a card already carrying several named matchups.

UFC 329 is also set to feature Leon Edwards against Daniel Rodriguez at 170lbs, Cory Sandhagen against Mario Bautista at 135lbs, and Cody Durden against Ode Osbourne at 125lbs. Gable Steveson is also rumored for the card.

UFC 329 adds more stakes

The Las Vegas show is also reported to showcase Robert Whittaker’s light heavyweight debut. Whittaker is on a two-fight losing skid after a split decision loss to Reinier de Ridder and a submission defeat to Khamzat Chimaev, while Nikita Krylov is due to take him on this coming International Fight Week after Krylov’s third-round knockout of Modestas Bukauskas this past January at UFC 324.

For Pimblett, the new booking offers a fast path back into a major lightweight fight after losing for the first time in nine bouts. For Saint Denis, it gives him another chance to turn his current run into a bigger name on the marquee at UFC 329.