Ali Akbar Rosady
UFC lightweight contender Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett has publicly reacted to the outcome of the co-main event at UFC 325, expressing satisfaction at Dan Hooker’s TKO loss to Benoit Saint Denis and subsequently signaling an interest in facing the victorious French fighter. Pimblett’s comments, made via his personal YouTube channel, highlight the shifting dynamics within the stacked 155-pound division following a pivotal weekend of fights.
The highly anticipated lightweight clash between New Zealand’s Dan "The Hangman" Hooker and France’s Benoit "God of War" Saint Denis took place at UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday. The bout, positioned as the co-main event, delivered on its promise of high-octane action, culminating in a second-round TKO victory for Saint Denis. From the outset, Saint Denis displayed his characteristic aggressive style, pressuring Hooker with relentless forward movement and grappling exchanges. After an intense first round that saw both men exchange significant strikes, Saint Denis escalated his offensive in the second. He successfully grounded Hooker, initiating a barrage of submission attempts and ground-and-pound strikes. The sustained pressure eventually led to the referee stepping in to halt the contest, awarding Saint Denis the emphatic victory at 3:32 of the second round.
For Pimblett, the result was met with a degree of personal gratification. "Nice to see Dan get TKO’d after the shit he was chatting," Pimblett stated in his YouTube video, alluding to a long-standing verbal rivalry between the two lightweight athletes. The animosity between Pimblett and Hooker has been well-documented, with both fighters exchanging pointed remarks in various media appearances and on social media platforms over recent months. Pimblett continued, suggesting, "He probably enjoyed me losing last week. That was probably a generational hate watch for him. I never got finished, though." This retort directly references Pimblett’s own recent defeat at UFC 324, where he suffered his first professional loss inside the UFC octagon.
Pimblett’s last outing saw him headline UFC 324, where he faced former interim lightweight champion Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje. The high-stakes contest, which had an interim lightweight title on the line, went the full five rounds. Pimblett, known for his charismatic personality and submission prowess, found himself on the receiving end of Gaethje’s superior striking and pressure over 25 minutes. Gaethje out-struck Pimblett significantly, landing a higher volume and percentage of strikes throughout the bout, ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory with scorecards of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. The loss marked a significant setback for the Liverpool native, who had previously enjoyed a flawless 6-0 record within the UFC, often punctuated by dramatic finishes and bonus-winning performances. Prior to the Gaethje fight, Pimblett’s professional record stood at 22 wins and 3 losses, with his UFC record at 6 wins and 0 losses. After the Gaethje defeat, his overall record moved to 22-4, and his UFC record to 6-1.
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Dan Hooker, on the other hand, entered UFC 325 with a professional record of 23 wins and 13 losses. Known for his "fight anyone, anywhere" mentality and durable striking, Hooker has been a consistent presence in the lightweight top 15 for several years. His recent form had been mixed, securing a significant win over Jalin Turner in July 2023 via split decision, but also experiencing losses to top contenders such as Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and Islam Makhachev in previous years. The loss to Saint Denis pushes Hooker’s professional record to 23-14 and likely sees him fall further down the competitive lightweight rankings. His toughness, however, remains undisputed, as evidenced by his resilience against Saint Denis’s aggressive onslaught before the stoppage.
Benoit Saint Denis, a former French Special Forces operative, has rapidly ascended the lightweight ranks, showcasing a relentless, high-pressure style that combines powerful striking with dangerous grappling. Prior to his bout with Hooker, Saint Denis held a professional record of 13 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no-contest. He had been on an impressive five-fight winning streak in the UFC, all by finish, demonstrating his elite-level conditioning and finishing instincts. His victories included submissions over Ismael Bonfim and Gabriel Miranda, and TKO wins against Thiago Moises and Joaquim Silva. The victory over a seasoned veteran like Hooker significantly elevates Saint Denis’s profile and record to 14-1-1 (1 NC), positioning him firmly within the top tier of the lightweight division.
Following his dominant performance, Saint Denis wasted no time in calling out some of the biggest names in the UFC’s lightweight and featherweight divisions. In his post-fight interview, he expressed a desire to face the likes of Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan. These call-outs underscore Saint Denis’s ambition to compete against the absolute best and cement his status as a legitimate title contender. Notably absent from his list of desired opponents was Paddy Pimblett.
Despite not being mentioned by Saint Denis, Pimblett appears to have a genuine interest in a potential future matchup with the Frenchman, seemingly preferring it over a direct confrontation to settle his feud with Hooker. "I really like Benoit Saint Denis," Pimblett remarked. "I think he’s a proper nice fella and I like his fighting style. He comes to bang, proper like Saint Denis. I hope he does well, but obviously if he’s next for me he’s getting finished." This statement reflects Pimblett’s respect for Saint Denis’s fighting style and character, while still maintaining his characteristic confidence in his own abilities.
The lightweight division remains one of the most talent-rich and competitive in mixed martial arts. The current undisputed champion, Ilia Topuria, is expected to face interim champion Justin Gaethje in a unification bout, likely later this year or early next. This leaves a host of top contenders vying for position, including the likes of Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, Dustin Poirier, and now, a rapidly rising Benoit Saint Denis.
For Paddy Pimblett, the loss to Gaethje necessitates a strategic return to the octagon. While his fan appeal remains immense, a rebound victory against a highly-ranked opponent is crucial for his trajectory towards title contention. A fight against Saint Denis, given the latter’s recent surge and aggressive style, would undoubtedly be a significant challenge and a compelling matchup for fans.
As for Dan Hooker, the TKO loss marks another difficult chapter in his career. While known for his resilience, repeated setbacks against top-tier opponents raise questions about his immediate future in the upper echelons of the division. His next steps will likely involve a reassessment of his training and potentially a fight against a lower-ranked opponent to regain momentum.
Pimblett concluded his remarks on the recent events with a succinct, yet pointed, message to his rival: "Hooker, unlucky, mate." The landscape of the UFC lightweight division continues to evolve, and the interactions between these fighters, both inside and outside the cage, contribute to the compelling narratives that define the sport. As the dust settles from UFC 325 and 324, all eyes will be on the matchmaking decisions that will shape the path forward for these prominent 155-pound competitors.
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