Pimblett would have considered retiring if he lost to Saint-Denis
Paddy Pimblett revealed he would have thought about retirement if he hadn't beaten Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 329.
Pimblett admits doubts before victory
Paddy Pimblett, 31, said he would have considered retiring had he lost to Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 329 last weekend. The British mixed martial artist submitted the Frenchman in just 52 seconds of their lightweight bout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The win reignited Pimblett's pursuit of the title after his defeat to Justin Gaethje for the interim belt in January. The victory was his 24th in 28 fights.
Tough training camp
Speaking after the fight, Pimblett revealed that he had told his coach Paul Rimmer about considering leaving the sport if he couldn't beat Saint-Denis. "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 retire,'" said Pimblett. "If I can't beat BSD I'm never going to be world champ and that's what I do this for. I do this to be the best in the world."
Gaethje's win as motivation
Last month, American Justin Gaethje beat Ilia Topuria for the undisputed title, setting up a potential rematch with Pimblett. "Justin Gaethje beat Ilia Topuria and it was one of the biggest kicks up the arse I've ever had. It lit a fire underneath me and the last couple weeks of this training camp have been unbelievable," added Pimblett.
