Justin Gaethje Claims Interim Lightweight Title After Brutal War with Paddy Pimblett
Las Vegas, 25 January 2026
Despite being outmatched on significant strikes 156 to 144, Justin Gaethje’s devastating power proved decisive as he dropped Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett multiple times en route to a unanimous decision victory at UFC 324. The 37-year-old American’s triumph marks him as the first two-time interim champion in UFC history, setting up a unification bout with current champion Ilia Topuria.
A Battle of Attrition in Sin City
The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas witnessed an extraordinary display of heart and determination on Saturday, 24 January 2026, as both fighters weathered an absolute storm over five gruelling rounds [1][2]. Gaethje’s experience and ring generalship ultimately proved decisive, with judges scoring the contest 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 in his favour [1][2]. Despite Pimblett’s impressive output of 156 significant strikes compared to Gaethje’s 144, it was the American’s ability to inflict meaningful damage and secure multiple knockdowns that swayed the scorecards [1]. The fight was immediately recognised as a classic, earning ‘Fight of the Night’ honours [4], with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov praising Gaethje’s performance, stating: ‘Justin Gaethje absolute legend, my congratulations. What a fight. And don’t forget Justin almost 38 years old’ [6].
Pimblett’s Courageous Stand Falls Short
Liverpool’s Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett, who entered the octagon with an unblemished 7-0 UFC record [2], demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the contest despite absorbing significant punishment. The 31-year-old Scouser was dropped multiple times by Gaethje’s devastating striking power [2], yet refused to yield, showcasing the granite chin that has become his trademark. UFC President Dana White acknowledged Pimblett’s toughness post-fight, noting: ‘Obviously he is tough, he is durable, especially against Gaethje. You’re eating those punches against him’ [1]. However, White also criticised the Liverpudlian’s tactical approach, suggesting that when the stand-up battle wasn’t working, ‘you might want to try to take him down and submit him’ [1]. Following the bruising encounter, Pimblett was transported to hospital for precautionary checks [6], though he remained gracious in defeat, stating: ‘There is no man I’d rather lose to than the Highlight; he is someone I loved watching growing up and it shows why he is a legend’ [6].
Historic Achievement for ‘The Highlight’
Gaethje’s victory carries particular significance as it establishes him as the first fighter in UFC history to capture interim championship gold on two separate occasions [6]. The Arizona native, who previously held interim lightweight gold before losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 and Charles Oliveira at UFC 274 [1], has now positioned himself for a third opportunity at undisputed championship glory. Post-fight, an emotional Gaethje reflected on his journey, declaring: ‘This is a crazy sport and an amazing f—ing life’ [1]. The veteran also acknowledged his opponent’s durability, remarking: ‘Hey, Scousers do not get knocked out, That Scouser was not going to get knocked out’ [1]. Former interim lightweight title holder Dustin Poirier offered his congratulations, telling Pimblett: ‘Welcome to the big leagues Patrick. One up for the legends’ [6].
Paramount+ Era Begins with Championship Drama
UFC 324 marked a significant milestone for the organisation, serving as the inaugural event under the new media rights partnership with Paramount+ [1][4]. The streaming platform’s debut could hardly have asked for a more compelling main event, with the Gaethje-Pimblett war delivering everything fans could desire in championship combat. The evening’s early proceedings set an unprecedented tone, as the first two fights concluded with first-round finishes in the final second - a first in the promotion’s 33-year history [4]. Josh Hokit and Ty Miller both earned Performance of the Night bonuses for their dramatic knockout victories over Denzel Freeman and Adam Fugitt respectively, with both stoppages occurring with just one second remaining in the opening round [4]. The night’s success extends beyond the main event, with the bantamweight co-main event seeing Sean O’Malley defeat Song Yadong via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) [1][3], whilst Waldo Cortes-Acosta’s second-round TKO victory over heavyweight legend Derrick Lewis provided another highlight [1][3]. With current champion Ilia Topuria currently sidelined, Gaethje’s triumph sets up an eagerly anticipated unification bout that promises to determine the undisputed lightweight king [1][2].