Paddy Pimblett paid a touching tribute to Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva after his emphatic win over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 329. The 31-year-old lightweight contender, an avid Liverpool supporter, broke into a rendition of Jota's fan chant during his post-fight interview in the Octagon at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
Taking the microphone from Joe Rogan, Pimblett said: "Can I just say, a week ago today, I mentioned it after my last fight, a week ago last year, I know there'll be a lot of Liverpool fans who will be able to sing it with me. RIP Diogo Jota and his brother Andre, died last year. All the Liverpool fans sing it with me, 'Oh he wears the number 20, he will take us to victory, when he's running down the left wing, he cuts inside and scores for LFC, he's a lad from Portugal, better than Figo don't you know, oh his name is Diogo.'"
The tribute came a week after the anniversary of the tragic passing of Jota and his brother in July 2025. Pimblett's emotional moment resonated with Liverpool fans worldwide.
Dominant Performance Against Saint-Denis
Pimblett returned to winning ways after his first UFC loss to Justin Gaethje in January. He submitted Saint-Denis in just 52 seconds of the first round with a d'Arce choke. Saint-Denis attempted a head kick and takedown, but Pimblett capitalized, locking in the choke and forcing the Frenchman to tap out.
After the win, Pimblett sent a message to the lightweight division: "Sub of the year bitches. I knew he was out, I had to say to Mark (Goddard), 'he's unconscious, he was out.' Try and grab hold of my legs, I told everyone all week, he was going to shoot in, grab hold and I was going to choke his ass out, my man was eating canvas. I'm like a fucking spider, lad. When I've got hold of you, you don't get out, simple as that."
Future Challenges and Division Warnings
Pimblett called out top fighters including Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Conor McGregor, and Max Holloway. "What now? Am I finished? Who wants it next? I'd beat Ilia up, I'll rematch Justin, fight Conor or Max, I don't give a f****, give me anyone I'll punch their heads in," he declared.
During the prelims, Liverpool-native and Pimblett's teammate Luke Riley scored a first-round TKO win on his American debut. In the main event, Conor McGregor suffered a suspected knee injury, ending his comeback fight after just one minute and nine seconds.
