Paddy Pimblett has climbed four places to a career-high No. 5 in the latest UFC Meta lightweight rankings following his first-round submission victory over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 329. The Englishman moves up from No. 9 after stopping the French contender in just 52 seconds.

Pimblett’s victory over Saint-Denis, who entered the contest ranked No. 5, saw the pair effectively swap positions near the top of the division. Saint Denis dropped three places to No. 8, while Pimblett recorded the highest ranking of his UFC career after bouncing back from his January defeat to interim champion Justin Gaethje.

Following the rankings update, Pimblett reflected on the significance of the victory. “It took a lot [to get back],” said Pimblett on the About Last Fight podcast. “This fight camp wasn’t easy. Getting to this point wasn’t easy.”

Pimblett also revealed he had questioned his future before the bout. “About four or five weeks ago, I turned to Paul and I was like, ‘Listen, if I don’t win this fight, what’s the point in fighting anymore? I might as well retire,’” he said. “If I can’t beat BSD, then I’m never gonna be a world champion, and that’s what I do this for.”

Elsewhere in the updated lightweight rankings, Quillan Salkilld slipped one place to No. 9 following Pimblett’s rise, while Tom Nolan and Dan Hooker exchanged places at No. 11 and No. 12 respectively. Pimblett also called for a rematch with newly crowned lightweight champion Justin Gaethje after his win in Las Vegas.

Outside the lightweight division, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker entered the light heavyweight rankings at No. 12 after defeating Nikita Krylov at UFC 329, while Wang Cong climbed four places to No. 6 in the women’s flyweight rankings following her victory over Tracy Cortez.