Benoit St Denis issues statement after Paddy Pimblett knockout

Benoit St Denis has broken his silence after Paddy Pimblett choked him unconscious in 52 seconds at UFC 329 in Las Vegas. The Frenchman, who entered the co-main event as the betting favorite on a four-fight finish streak, posted a statement apologizing to supporters and promising a rematch.

"I'm sorry for letting you down and for not delivering the victory we had hoped for," St Denis wrote on X, as reported by Sherdog. "This defeat is brutal and hard to swallow, but it's part of the journey. I learn through trials, I'll draw every lesson from it, I'll keep working hard, and I'll come back stronger."

St Denis vows rematch after Pimblett submission shocker

The finish came after St Denis shot in for an early takedown against an opponent who had predicted exactly that scenario. Pimblett caught the neck and locked in a submission before perspiration could help the Frenchman slip free. The result handed St Denis his first loss since a 2023 setback and dropped his record to 17-4, while Pimblett rebounded from his first UFC defeat to move to 24-4.

"Congratulations to Paddy for his performance," St Denis added in his post. "I'm convinced that one day, our paths will cross again." Observers have questioned the Frenchman's decision to grapple with a submission specialist in the opening seconds of round one, when fighters are driest and escapes are hardest.

No timetable has been announced for St Denis's return to the octagon.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Benoit St. Denis had one message following Paddy Pimblett’s 52-second shocker