Paddy Pimblett cracks top 10 at lightweight after UFC 329 finish
Paddy Pimblett landed in the top 10 of the global lightweight rankings after choking out Benoit Saint Denis in 52 seconds at UFC 329 earlier this week.
MMA Fighting moved Pimblett from No. 12 to No. 7 following the finish, which salvaged a rough year that began with a loss to Justin Gaethje. The rapid stoppage overshadowed a lackluster main event between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway and gave Pimblett the kind of signature win his critics said he lacked.
What Pimblett's ranking means for title run
Ahead of him now sit PFL's Usman Nurmagomedov at No. 6 and Holloway at No. 5, though Holloway has indicated he wants to remain at welterweight. Strip out the non-UFC fighters and Pimblett sits just outside the promotion's top five at 155 pounds.
A rematch with Gaethje appears unlikely as his next step. Instead, Pimblett could face top contender Arman Tsarukyan, current BMF titleholder Charles Oliveira, or longtime rival Ilia Topuria depending on how matchmaking shakes out. Saint Denis dropped out of the top 10 after the loss.
Rafael Fiziev stayed at No. 14 after beating Manuel Torres on the same card. Mateusz Gamrot and Quillan Salkilld meet at UFC Vegas 120 on August 8.
Original reporting:
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