Paddy Considered Retiring If He Lost Second Fight In A Row

Paddy Pimblett (24-4) says he would have considered retiring had he lost to Benoit Saint-Denis (17-4) at UFC 329 last weekend.

Pimblett, 31, submitted the Frenchman in 52 seconds to reignite his title push following a loss to Justin Gaethje for the interim belt in January. Saint-Denis entered on a four-fight winning streak but had no answer for Pimblett’s jiu-jitsu. Pimblett rises four spots to No. 5 in the lightweight rankings, with Saint-Denis dropping to No. 8. Had he lost, Pimblett would have considered retirement.

“This fight camp wasn’t easy. About four, five weeks ago I turned to Paul and said: ‘If I don’t win this fight, what’s the point in fighting anymore? I might as well retire.’ If I can’t beat BSD I’m never going to be world champ and that’s what I do this for,” Pimblett