Paddy Pimblett has revealed he would have retired if he had lost to Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329. The Liverpool lightweight choked out the Frenchman inside 60 seconds in the co-main event, rebounding from his defeat by Justin Gaethje in January.
Pimblett's Retirement Admission
Speaking after the fight, Pimblett admitted that a loss would have ended his career. "This fight camp wasn't easy," he said. "Getting to this point wasn't easy. About four or five weeks ago, I turned to my coach and was like, 'If I don't win this fight what's the point in fighting anymore? I might as well retire.' [I knew] that if I can't beat BSD, then what's the point in fighting? If I can't beat BSD, I'm never going to be a world champ, and that's what I do this for."
He added: "I do this to be the best in the world. So, if I can't beat him... and then two days later, Justin Gaethje beats Ilia Topuria, and it was one of the biggest kicks up the a**** I've ever had in my life. It set a fire underneath me, and I just, the last couple of weeks of this training camp have been unbelievable and I'm ready to kill anyone. Put anyone in front of me and I'll kill them."
McGregor's Comeback Ends in Disaster
Pimblett stole the show in Las Vegas as Conor McGregor's comeback ended in disaster after 69 seconds when he injured his knee in the main event against Max Holloway. The Brit commented: "It was sad to see but that's the thing with this sport, you've got to stay consistent, you've got to keep fighting. I think where he hasn't fought in so long, his body couldn't keep up with it. Coming out and throwing a crazy kick like that, first thing, his knee just collapsed underneath him. I feel bad for him. He's put so much into coming back and getting back in the octagon and that happens in the first five seconds, you've got to feel for him."
Impact on Lightweight Title Picture
Pimblett's quick victory puts him back in the lightweight title conversation. With the win, he improved his record and silenced critics after the Gaethje loss. The 29-year-old now eyes a potential title shot, though no official opponent has been named.
