Pimblett makes bold weight-cut claim
Paddy Pimblett has dismissed criticism of his dramatic weight fluctuations, describing himself as the “GOAT of weight cutting” after his emphatic victory at UFC 329.
The 31-year-old submitted Benoît Saint Denis with a D’Arce choke after just 52 seconds of the opening round. According to the UFC’s official result, the finish was recorded as a technical submission after Saint Denis lost consciousness.
Pimblett documented the final stages of his preparation in a behind-the-scenes video published on his YouTube channel.
“I am the GOAT of weight cutting. Discipline and mental strength are what make me so good at weight cutting,” Pimblett said.
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The Liverpudlian also told his critics to stop discussing his weight, insisting that complaining during the process only makes an already demanding cut more difficult.
Weight remains a recurring debate
Pimblett’s physical transformation between fights has been closely scrutinised throughout his UFC career. He regularly gains considerable weight outside training camps before returning to the lightweight limit ahead of competition.
According to the UFC’s guide to its weight classes, lightweight title fights have a maximum of 155 pounds (70.3kg), while competitors in non-title bouts are allowed to weigh up to 156 pounds.
Despite the attention surrounding his size between appearances, Pimblett has never missed weight for a UFC fight.
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His strength and conditioning coach, Paul Reed, acknowledged that the fighter’s approach had caused problems in the past. However, he said the team now follows a more structured programme, giving Pimblett greater control over the process.
As described by Ben McCrum for SPORTbible, Pimblett also intends to limit how much weight he gains between future contests.
Victory restores title ambitions
The win over Saint Denis moved Pimblett to fifth in the UFC’s lightweight rankings and restored his position among the division’s leading contenders.
However, an immediate title opportunity is far from guaranteed. Pimblett challenged Justin Gaethje for the interim championship at UFC 324 in January but lost by unanimous decision, his first defeat inside the UFC.
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Gaethje later became the undisputed lightweight champion by stopping Ilia Topuria after the fourth round at UFC Freedom 250, according to E. Spencer Kyte’s official UFC report.
Any future championship meeting between Pimblett and Gaethje would therefore be a rematch rather than a first encounter.
Several major fights remain possible
Pimblett’s ranking leaves the UFC with several high-profile options. A fight against former featherweight and lightweight champion Topuria would carry considerable interest because of their long-running personal rivalry.
Former champion Charles Oliveira is another possible opponent, while Max Holloway could also enter the discussion after his first-round injury stoppage victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 329. None of those fights has been officially announced.
Pimblett’s performance against Saint Denis returned him to the title picture, but his next challenge will determine whether he is ready for another championship opportunity. His weight management, meanwhile, is likely to remain under scrutiny, regardless of how confidently he dismisses the debate.
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