Paddy Pimblett is looking beyond UFC 329, targeting a path back to a lightweight title shot and a rematch with Justin Gaethje as he prepares to face Benoit Saint Denis.
Pimblett is scheduled to meet Saint Denis at UFC 329 and says he needs a win there and at least one more victory before he can realistically chase another fight with Gaethje, who he previously went five rounds with in January and lost. Pimblett remains confident he will defeat Saint Denis and move closer to that goal.
He also took aim at Arman Tsarukyan being discussed for a title opportunity, questioning his activity level. “He needs to fight,” Pimblett said. “He’s had like one fight in three years and he beat an absolute bum. He needs to actually fight. Not go around in a singlet tickling people. [Fight] anyone. Just fight someone,” Pimblett added. “Get in the octagon and actually fight. Stop going around on your private jet eating food.”
Reflecting on the Gaethje bout, Pimblett pointed to a pivotal moment. “I’m not going to use it as an excuse but the eye poke did change the fight in a big way,” he said. “The damage on my face was from an eye poke right hand. It wasn’t just an eye poke. I felt his thumb touch my brain. So it was a bit heavy. I couldn’t see for about two rounds after it.”
With Gaethje later defeating Ilia Topuria to become undisputed lightweight champion, Pimblett sees upside in his prior loss. “Obviously with him winning and becoming undisputed champion, it looks good for me,” he said. “I said after he beat me, I said he was going to beat Ilia Topuria. I said it was fate that he beat me. It was his destiny to win the title at the White House. I was just in the way.”
