Liverpool's rising UFC star, Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett, has boldly predicted he will finish Justin Gaethje in their high-stakes clash at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. The bout, scheduled for January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena, represents the biggest fight of Pimblett's career, with victory likely to propel him into title contention.
A Stand-Up Battle Against a Legend
Despite being renowned for his elite ground game and submission skills, Pimblett insists he plans to test the legendary Gaethje on the feet. 'I’ll keep it on the feet with him,' Pimblett told TNT Sport. He pointed to the blueprint set by Max Holloway and believes his own striking is chronically underestimated. 'Everyone thinks I’m just going to come in and I’m going to take him down and I’m not,' he stated.
Pimblett is coming off a dominant victory over Michael Chandler in April 2025, a performance he contrasted with Gaethje's own brutal war against the same opponent. 'He had an absolute war with Chandler and I pieced Chandler up,' Pimblett noted, while acknowledging that 'MMA math' is unreliable. His confidence remains unshaken: 'You’ll see come January 24, when we have a perfect game plan and we finish him within three.'
The Unorthodox Challenge for Gaethje
Pimblett believes his unique style will be a nightmare for Gaethje to prepare for. The 37-year-old American veteran, ranked No. 4 in the lightweight division (one spot above Pimblett), has not fought since beating Rafael Fiziev in March 2025.
'I don’t wrestle like a normal person,' Pimblett explained. 'I do everything differently. I’m not normal, so he’s not going to be able to get a sparring partner that grapples like me or strikes like me because I’m a weirdo.' He described himself as 'very awkward', claiming this makes him nearly impossible to replicate in training camp.
Nevertheless, Pimblett expressed deep respect for his forthcoming opponent, a fan favourite known for earning 12 post-fight bonus awards in the UFC. 'He’s a legend. He’s someone I’ve always loved watching,' Pimblett said. 'I can’t wait to have Justin Gaethje on my résumé. It’s going to be something that will last forever, part of my legacy.'
Title Shot Implications and Moving Goalposts
An impressive win for the undefeated Pimblett could see him leapfrog current number one contender Armand Tsarukyan for a shot at the lightweight title. Champion Ilia Topuria is currently on a break dealing with family matters.
Pimblett also addressed a recurring theme in his career: a perceived lack of credit for his victories. 'When I beat Chandler, everyone was like, "He’s old. He’s 2-5 in UFC,"' he recalled. 'When I beat Justin, it’s going to be, "He’s old, he’s about to retire."' He expects the goalposts to move no matter who he defeats, but remains focused on securing the biggest win of his career next weekend in Las Vegas.
