Paddy Pimblett Bloodied and Beaten by Justin Gaethje in UFC Title War
Liverpool's Paddy Pimblett endured immense punishment and suffered his first UFC defeat in a brutal five-round battle against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. The American veteran claimed the interim lightweight championship with a unanimous decision victory, derailing Pimblett's hopes of a title shot against bitter rival Ilia Topuria.
A Chaotic and Punishing Contest
The fight at the T-Mobile Arena was scored 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46 in Gaethje's favour, ending Pimblett's perfect 7-0 record in the promotion. From the opening bell, the contest was frenzied, with both fighters trading heavy blows throughout the twenty-five minute war.
Gaethje's notorious knockout power proved a constant threat, dropping Pimblett on three separate occasions during the bout. The Liverpudlian, however, displayed remarkable resilience, famously declaring "I'm a Scouser, we don't get knocked out" before the fight and living up to that mantra by surviving multiple knockdowns.
Controversial Moments and Immense Damage
The contest was not without controversy, as Pimblett suffered two eye pokes from Gaethje that went unpunished by referee Marc Goddard. By the second round, significant swelling had developed around Pimblett's right eye, yet he continued to press forward and land clean shots of his own on the 37-year-old American.
Pimblett's corner grew increasingly concerned as the fight progressed, urging their fighter to take Gaethje to the ground. Despite these instructions, the Scouser remained largely standing, engaging in a sloppy but thrilling striking battle that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
Post-Fight Respect and Future Implications
Following his victory, Gaethje paid tribute to his opponent's toughness, stating "Scousers cannot get knocked out! This Scouser does not get knocked out, what a f***ing gangster." The win marks Gaethje's second interim lightweight title reign, having previously held the belt in 2020, and sets up a likely unification bout with undisputed champion Ilia Topuria.
Pimblett, meanwhile, showed grace in defeat, acknowledging "I thought 48-47 was a fair scorecard" and expressing respect for Gaethje as a fighter he grew up watching. The 31-year-old remains ranked in the lightweight top ten and vowed "you haven't seen the last of me" in an emotional post-fight interview where he also spoke about men's mental health and paid tribute to late Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota.
The anticipated grudge match between Pimblett and Topuria, stemming from a 2022 hotel altercation, will now have to wait, with Gaethje vs Topuria potentially featuring on the UFC's planned White House fight card in June. Pimblett's next move remains uncertain following this devastating but valiant performance in his first professional setback.
