Paddy Pimblett may be the next significant draw for the UFC, emerging as a potential successor to Conor McGregor's star power. Pimblett secured a swift victory at UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas, submitting his opponent Benoît Saint Denis in just 52 seconds via chokehold. This performance has drawn comparisons to McGregor, particularly in light of McGregor's recent career struggles.
Pimblett's path to this point has been gradual since his UFC debut five years ago. His early career featured a series of matches against prospects and lesser-known competitors, followed by bouts against a mix of established veterans and past-prime fighters. Notably, his recent opponent Saint Denis was choked unconscious in a shorter time than it took for McGregor's knee injury in his bout against Max Holloway.
McGregor's fight against Max Holloway, which ended due to an injury sustained from a jumping high kick, was officially ruled a TKO at 1:09 of the first round. The injury occurred just three days before McGregor's 38th birthday. This event further underscored the contrast with Pimblett's decisive victory and his rising prominence within the promotion.