Staff Reports
LAS VEGAS – As the lights of the Strip illuminate the fight capital of the world, UFC 324 descends upon the T-Mobile Arena this Saturday, Jan. 24, marking the promotion’s inaugural event under the new Paramount partnership. Headlining the card is a high-stakes interim lightweight title bout between veteran knockout artist Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje and rising British sensation Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett. With the undisputed champion Ilia Topuria sidelined until potentially April or June due to personal matters, this fight isn’t just for a shiny belt — it’s a gateway to unification and legacy-defining opportunities.
Gaethje, a 37-year-old former interim champion native of Safford, enters the Octagon with a record of 25-5, boasting a career defined by barnburners and bonus checks. He’s no stranger to title contention, having captured interim gold against Tony Ferguson in 2020 and challenging for the undisputed strap multiple times. Pimblett, the 31-year-old Liverpool native with a 22-3 record, has skyrocketed through the ranks since his UFC debut in 2021, blending slick submissions with charismatic showmanship. This marks his first shot at UFC gold, a milestone many doubted he’d reach so soon.
At Wednesday’s Media Day, both fighters fielded questions from reporters, offering glimpses into their mindsets. While the buildup has been relatively respectful, underlying tensions simmered as they addressed each other’s comments and the enormity of the occasion.
Pimblett’s Perspective: Confidence Without the Hype
Pimblett, ever the laid-back Scouser, downplayed the magnitude of the moment. When asked if fighting for the interim title felt extra special, he shrugged it off: “No, it’s just another fight. I haven’t put it on a pedestal or nothing. I’m going to come out there like every other fight and get the win, get the finish, hopefully.”
Responding to Gaethje’s recent interviews where he expressed a desire to “beat the shit out of” Pimblett and make him “piss his pants,” the Brit laughed it off. “Yeah, I’ve seen an even funnier one yesterday, saying he wants to make me piss my pants. That one made me laugh because he’d done it to someone in his first-ever fight. That’s our job. We’re in here to hurt each other. We’re not having a pillow fight.”
Pimblett exuded supreme confidence in his preparation, calling this “the best I’ve ever been in camp” and claiming he’s in “the best shape of my life” with the least weight to cut in years. He dismissed doubts about his trajectory, noting he’s opened as the betting favorite and remained so throughout fight week. “All the old guard, the fighters are picking Justin because they don’t like it when the next generation comes in and starts beating the old guard,” he said, pointing out that retired lightweights are backing Gaethje to preserve their own legacies.
Looking ahead, Pimblett envisions a knockout but admits a submission is “more likely.” If victorious, he plans to defend the belt at least three times before eyeing a move to welterweight. He called out Topuria directly: “Step up, you know what I mean? Let’s see you come back.” If Topuria delays, Pimblett is ready to face Arman Tsarukyan or others, such as Max Holloway or Charles Oliveira.
Pimblett also paid respect to Gaethje, calling it an “honor to share the octagon with him” and adding his name to a “violence triangle” alongside wins over Tony Ferguson and Michael Chandler. Yet, he fired back at Gaethje’s experience edge: “I’m gonna put a beat down on him like he’s never received, and I can promise you that… He won’t be physically the same after this fight.”
Personal touches rounded out his session, from ruing a January camp that “ruined me Christmas and my birthday” to dreaming of fighting at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool. As a father of twin daughters, he reflected on how parenthood has “switched something in me mentally and made me a better fighter.”
Gaethje’s Take: Experience Meets Momentum
Gaethje, the consummate warrior, brushed aside Pimblett’s bold predictions. “Certainly take nothing from those comments. It’s twenty-five minutes in time right now. What he’s saying right now does not matter,” he said. Emphasizing his edge in endurance, Gaethje highlighted Pimblett’s lack of five-round experience: “I’ve been in five-round scheduled fights at least twenty times in my career… You don’t know what you don’t know. He hasn’t been there.”
The Coloradan aims to drag the fight into deep waters, trusting his high-altitude training in Denver. “I want to take him to the fourth and fifth round, and I want to do the same thing — turn his face into mincemeat. I’ve done it before; done it to higher caliber fighters.” He referenced the past three-round wars against Michael Chandler and Rafael Fiziev, asserting that extended rounds would have favored him decisively.
Gaethje acknowledged Pimblett’s talent, dismissing critics who claim the Brit has only beaten “over the hill” opponents. “I think he’s really good… He’s dangerous. He’s confident, and those are two huge variables.” Despite a recent knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, Gaethje sees it as fuel: “That happening is going to make this final chapter so much more blissful for myself and my coaches and my family.”
On his own preparation, Gaethje echoed Pimblett’s sentiment: “I feel as good as ever… I feel like I am in the best shape of my life.” He praised the shorter camp, avoiding past mistakes like over-replicating previous successes. Reflecting on his career, he noted being an underdog in 11 of his 15 UFC fights, a testament to facing top competition from the start.
Post-fight, Gaethje eyes Topuria in June for a White House card unification, or the Oliveira-Holloway winner if needed. With “two wars left” by his estimation, he’s savoring the ride, including non-fight highlights like turning a Fanatics Fest car win into cash—”the best money I’ve ever made not getting punched in the face.”
What to Expect in the Octagon
This matchup pits Gaethje’s relentless pressure and leg-kicking arsenal against Pimblett’s grappling prowess and unorthodox striking. Gaethje’s experience could prove decisive in the championship rounds, but Pimblett’s momentum and youth might spark an upset. Both promise violence, with Pimblett envisioning fans singing “Oh, Paddy the Baddy” post-fight and Gaethje relishing the “danger” of walking into the fire.
UFC 324 isn’t just a title fight—it’s a generational torch-passing moment. Will Gaethje add another highlight-reel finish to his resume, or will Pimblett silence doubters and claim his throne? Tune in Saturday on Paramount+ to find out.
