UFC 329 — McGregor vs. Holloway 2 · Jul 11, 2026 · T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

· Co-Main · LW · 3R

Benoit
St. Denis

13-1-0 · #5 Ranked Lightweight

VS

Paddy
Pimblett

21-3-0 · #6 Ranked Lightweight

AI Fight Prediction · Stats Comparison · Full Fight Card

2026 AI Algorithm Prediction

BENOIT Win Probability PADDY
54%
46%

Winner

Denis

Method

KO/TKO

Round

Round 2

God of War Outlasts Baddy

St. Denis' relentless forward pressure and fight-ending power overwhelm Pimblett before he can drag the fight to the deep rounds where he thrives.

St. Denis will cut off the cage early to negate Pimblett's elite footwork, forcing him into close-quarters exchanges where his power advantage is decisive. While Pimblett will land sharp counter strikes early, he lacks the stopping power to keep St. Denis off him long enough to implement his high-level grappling game.

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Why This Fight Matters

Devastating Finishing Power

St. Denis brings fight-altering power in both his hands and kicks, capable of ending the fight at any point in every exchange. He has finished all but one of his UFC victories inside the distance, often overwhelming opponents with blistering combination striking in the first two rounds.

Superior Grappling & Stamina

Pimblett holds a clear edge on the mat, with elite submission skills that have earned him the majority of his professional wins. His championship-level cardio means he only gets stronger as the fight goes on, giving him a massive advantage if he can push the fight to the third round and beyond.

Pressure vs. Countering Dynamic

This fight hinges entirely on whether St. Denis can cut off the cage effectively to avoid chasing Pimblett around the octagon and waste energy. If Pimblett can use his footwork to stay at range and rack up points on the counter early, he can force St. Denis to rush and open up takedown or submission opportunities.

Title Eliminator Implications

Both fighters are sitting just outside the top 5 of the stacked lightweight division, with a win here almost guaranteeing a title eliminator shot against the winner of the next top contender bout. This is one of the most high-stakes fights on the UFC 329 card, pitting two of the most popular rising stars in the division against each other for the first time.

Combat Stats Comparison

BENOIT Stat PADDY
+4 ▲93
Punch Power
89
90
Punch Speed
91
+4 ▲92
Kick Power
88
85
Striking Defense
86
93
Grappling
95
90
Chin
Durability
91
88
Stamina
+4 ▲92
83
Fight IQ
85

Career Records

Benoit St. Denis

Record13-1-0
Status#5 Ranked Lightweight
Age28
Height5'11"
Reach73"
NationalityFrance

Aggressive pressure striker with elite grappling credentials who overwhelms opponents with constant forward movement and fight-ending power in all ranges.

Paddy Pimblett

Record21-3-0
Status#6 Ranked Lightweight
Age29
Height5'10"
Reach71"
NationalityEngland

Slick, high fight IQ grappler with exceptional footwork and counter striking who drags opponents into later rounds and capitalizes on fatigue to lock in fight-ending submissions.

How Each Fighter Wins

Benoit's Path to Victory

  • • Walk Pimblett down and cut off the cage to eliminate his footwork advantage early
  • • Force clinch exchanges where he can use his superior strength to wear Pimblett down
  • • Heavy left hook to the body, which he has used to finish multiple opponents in his UFC run
  • • Keep the fight standing for the first two rounds and avoid going to the mat with Pimblett's elite submission game

Paddy's Path to Victory

  • • Use superior footwork to stay at range and pick St. Denis apart with counter combinations early
  • • Force St. Denis to chase him around the octagon to drain his gas tank ahead of the later rounds
  • • Elite rear-naked choke, which he has secured in half of his professional submission wins
  • • Look for takedown opportunities in the second half of the fight when St. Denis begins to slow, then work for a submission finish

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UFC 329 — McGregor vs. Holloway 2 — Full Fight Card

Fighter Profiles

FAQ

Who wins Benoit St. Denis vs Paddy Pimblett?

Benoit St. Denis takes this fight by second-round TKO, as he uses his relentless forward pressure to force Pimblett into standing exchanges he can't win. He absorbs a few sharp counters early, but his durable chin lets him walk through them to land a fight-ending combination halfway through the second frame that drops Pimblett for good.

When and where is UFC 329 — McGregor vs. Holloway 2?

This fight takes place on the main card of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, one of the most stacked cards of 2026 headlined by the massive Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2 title fight. The event is expected to draw one of the biggest pay-per-view buyrates in UFC history, with this lightweight contender bout viewed as one of the most likely fights to steal the show.

What is Benoit St. Denis's record going into UFC 329?

Benoit St. Denis holds a professional record of 13-1-0, with 12 of his wins coming by way of finish. His most recent notable wins include first-round knockouts of Matt Frevola and Thiago Moises, as well as a dominant decision win over veteran lightweight Rafael Alves.