Paddy Pimblett might be stepping into enemy territory on Saturday at UFC 324 but the crowd was definitely on his side during his latest faceoff with Justin Gaethje.
Ahead of their interim lightweight title fight, Pimblett strutted to the stage with a loud chorus of fans chanting “Oh Paddy the baddy” as he came face-to-face with Gaethje. Maybe it was just the shoes but Pimblett looked like he definitely had some size and height over Gaethje, who remained stoic before exchanging a few words with his opponent.
Everything stayed friendly until UFC CEO Dana White broke them apart as Gaethje and Pimblett prepare to clash in the first headliner as part of the new Paramount+ era.
In the co-main event, Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong also exchanged a few words but nothing got heated as they both jockey for position in the bantamweight division. O’Malley is looking to stop a two-fight skid after dropping back-to-back fights against Merab Dvalishvili.
Arguably the fighter who enjoyed the biggest reaction from the audience was Derrick Lewis, who embraced the good will from the crowd before facing off with Waldo Cortes-Acosta. The heavyweights both threw up their fists for the faceoff with White doing everything possible to ensure the two giants on stage didn’t throw down right there.
Thankfully there was no incident and now Lewis and Cortes-Acosta prepare to meet in one of the most anticipated fights at UFC 324.
All of the fighters scheduled to compete face off one last time during the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday before UFC 324 kicks off from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday.
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