Paddy Pimblett expects Benoit Saint Denis to think twice before grappling with him.
Former interim lightweight title challenger Pimblett (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) takes on Saint Denis (17-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in the UFC 329 co-main event on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Paramount+). Saint Denis has shown off a well rounded game in which he’s used his striking to knock out the likes of Beneil Dariush, and his grappling to dominate and submit Mauricio Ruffy.
Advertisement
Pimblett welcomes the stylistic matchup.
“I think BSD is a fighter, he’s going to come out very intense, he’s going to try and put it on me like he does with everyone,” Pimblett said on his YouTube channel. “He’s going to try and push the pace. That’s what he does. He doesn’t defend much. He attacks, which will play right into my hands. I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait to fight someone like BSD, who just comes forward and wants to have a scrap.”
While Pimblett thinks his submission threat may force the fight on the feet, he plans on using his striking to make Saint Denis resort to his wrestling.
“We know BSD is going to try and take me down, but we don’t know if he’s going to try and take me down,” Pimblett said. “But, we’ve got to be ready for all things. BSD takes most people down. I think he might be a little bit afraid to take me down because he knows I’ll submit him on the ground. But once I give it a few punches, a few kicks, knees, elbows, he’s going to revert back to default settings. Default settings for him are shooting takedowns.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 329: Paddy Pimblett warns Benoit Saint Denis about taking him down
