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UFC 329 delivered some major talking points, with Paddy Pimblett’s quick submission victory stealing the show. But the fallout extends beyond the octagon, touching on rivalries, future matchups, and the ongoing saga of Conor McGregor.
Pimblett’s Dominant Performance and Aftermath
Paddy Pimblett secured a lightning-fast submission victory over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 329, choking him out cold in just 52 seconds. Saint-Denis has since broken his silence, acknowledging Pimblett’s performance. Pimblett himself admitted that Justin Gaethje’s upset loss earlier in the night changed his mindset for his own fight. Following his win, Pimblett’s confidence is soaring, with him claiming he could do the same to Charles Oliveira and even suggesting Oliveira is “on his way out” of the sport.
Pimblett’s Post-Fight Callouts and Accusations
Pimblett isn’t just talking about Oliveira; he’s also hyping up another UFC 329 featherweight, claiming this fighter hits harder than Justin Gaethje and is “gonna be a superstar.” However, not everyone is impressed with Pimblett’s post-fight demeanor. Josh Hokit has accused Pimblett of being “two-faced” after their interaction at UFC 329, adding another layer to the drama surrounding the surging lightweight.
McGregor’s Injury and the Trolling Begins
Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return at UFC 329 was unfortunately derailed by a knee injury, marking another chapter in what some are calling a nine-year saga of decline. Despite reports of the injury, McGregor has denied being injured before the event. This setback has not gone unnoticed by his rivals, with Islam Makhachev quickly trolling McGregor following the news of his withdrawal.
Oliveira Eyes Gaethje, Moreno Set for Noche UFC
While Pimblett is calling out Oliveira, Charles Oliveira himself is focused on a different opponent. He’s been actively flooding the UFC 329 comments section, clearly seeking a title fight against Justin Gaethje. Meanwhile, looking ahead, Brandon Moreno is reportedly set to face Joseph Morales at the upcoming Noche UFC event, promising another exciting matchup for fight fans.
From the community
Over on r/MMA, fans are talking about this: Paddy Pimblett reacts to UFC Freedom 250 main event and has some words for the loser (to the surprise of no one).
Sources
Every source behind today's roundup (14)
We summarize the day’s news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work:
- Josh Hokit accuses Paddy Pimblett of being ‘two-faced’ after UFC 329 (Sherdog)
- Benoit Saint-Denis breaks his silence after being choked out cold in 52 seconds by Paddy Pimblett at UFC 329 (Bloody Elbow)
- Paddy Pimblett says Justin Gaethje’s upset changed his UFC 329 mindset (Sherdog)
- Charles Oliveira floods UFC 329 comments seeking Justin Gaethje title fight (Sherdog)
- Paddy Pimblett claims UFC 329 featherweight hits harder than Justin Gaethje: ‘Gonna be a superstar’ (Bloody Elbow)
- Injury opens another new chapter in the nine-year saga of Conor McGregor’s free fall (ESPN MMA)
- Paddy Pimblett insists he could do the same to Charles Oliveira after impressive UFC 329 submission (Bloody Elbow)
- What’s next: Why Max Holloway and Paddy Pimblett c… (ESPN MMA)
- Dana White On UFC 329, Conor McGregor, Paddy Pimblett, Sophie Cunningham & More (UFC News)
- Paddy Pimblett says Justin Gaethje’s upset changed his UFC 329 mindset (Yahoo Sports MMA)
- Conor McGregor denies injury before UFC 329 after knee injury ends return (Sherdog)
- Islam Makhachev trolls Conor McGregor following UFC 329 injury (Sherdog)
- Victorious Paddy Pimblett ready to submit Charles Oliveira for a title shot: ‘He’s on his way out’ (MMA Mania)
- Brandon Moreno vs. Joseph Morales reportedly set for Noche UFC (Sherdog)
Open Scoring MMA is a daily AI-produced MMA and UFC news podcast. Listen to today’s episode, read the full Feed, or get every episode by email.
Episode transcript
Read the full episode transcript
Welcome to Open Scoring MMA. This is episode 24 for July 13, 2026, your daily look at what’s happening now and next across the world of MMA and UFC.
The MMA world is still buzzing from UFC 329, and the biggest story coming out of it has to be the incredible performance from our man, Paddy Pimblett. The Baddy reportedly submitted Benoit Saint-Denis in just 52 seconds, with a submission that had everyone talking. Word is, this was a massive bounce-back for Paddy after what some are calling his first UFC loss, and he made it clear that he felt there would have been no point in continuing his fighting career had he lost to Saint-Denis. That’s the kind of high-stakes, all-or-nothing mentality we love to see from a fighter. It shows just how much this sport means to him, and how much he puts on the line every time he steps into the cage. He needed a big win, and he delivered in spectacular fashion, proving once again why he’s one of the most exciting talents in the lightweight division. The submission was clean, decisive, and sent a clear message to the rest of the division. He’s back, and he’s dangerous. That kind of performance is exactly what we’ve come to expect from Paddy, and it’s why he’s quickly becoming a superstar in the sport. The energy he brings, both inside and outside the octagon, is infectious, and it’s clear he’s got that special something that draws fans in.
Now, speaking of Paddy, he’s been making some waves with his post-fight comments. Heavyweight Josh Hokit, for one, has accused Paddy of being “two-faced,” using him as an example of fighters who act one way to the cameras and another behind the scenes. It’s an interesting take, and it’s not uncommon for fighters to have different personas. But for Paddy, it often feels like what you see is what you get, a passionate, outspoken fighter who isn’t afraid to speak his mind.
And speak his mind he has. Paddy Pimblett has reportedly claimed he could do the same to Charles Oliveira, with some reports saying he believes Oliveira is “on his way out” and that he’s ready to submit him for a title shot. This is a bold statement, especially considering Oliveira’s pedigree, but it shows Paddy’s confidence after such a dominant win. He’s not shying away from the top contenders, and that’s exactly what you want to see from a fighter on the rise. He’s looking for that strap, and he believes he has the tools to get it.
In other news from UFC 329, Benoit Saint-Denis has broken his silence after being choked out cold by Paddy. It’s never easy to come back from a devastating loss like that, especially one that ends so quickly. But Saint-Denis is a warrior, and we expect him to learn from this and come back stronger. It’s part of the game, and every fighter faces setbacks.
Paddy also took a moment to heap praise on another UFC 329 star, a featherweight he believes hits harder than Justin Gaethje and is “gonna be a superstar.” He didn’t name names, but it’s cool to see Paddy recognizing other talent on the card and giving them their props. It shows a level of respect for the sport and his fellow fighters.
Meanwhile, Charles Oliveira is using some unique tactics to call for a title shot against Justin Gaethje, flooding the UFC 329 comments section. Oliveira is a former champion, and he’s clearly hungry to get back to the top. This kind of social media campaign is becoming more common, and it’s a way for fighters to try and force the UFC’s hand. He wants that fight, and he’s making sure everyone knows it.
Now, let’s talk about the saga of Conor McGregor. His return to the UFC against Max Holloway at UFC 329 reportedly ended with a knee injury. This injury opens another new chapter in what ESPN MMA is calling the “nine-year saga of Conor McGregor’s free fall.” It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans who were hoping to see the old Conor back in action. He denies being injured heading into the fight, but the outcome speaks for itself. It’s a frustrating situation for everyone involved, and it leaves a lot of questions about his future in the sport.
Unsurprisingly, Islam Makhachev, the current lightweight champion, wasted no time trolling McGregor following the injury. Makhachev poked fun at McGregor’s anticlimactic defeat, adding another layer to their ongoing rivalry. It’s a classic move in the fight game, and it just fuels the fire for a potential future matchup, if McGregor can ever get back to full strength.
Moving on to some upcoming fight news, Brandon Moreno is reportedly set to return to the Octagon against Joseph Morales at Noche UFC on September 12. This is a big fight for Moreno, a former flyweight champion, as he looks to get back into title contention. Morales is a tough opponent, and this will be a real test for both men. Noche UFC is always a great card, and this fight adds another layer of excitement to it.
That’s all for today’s Open Scoring MMA. We’ll be back tomorrow with more of the latest news and analysis from the world of mixed martial arts.
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