This is the UFC 324 live blog for Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett, the interim lightweight championship main event bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Gaethje and Pimblett, No. 5 and No. 11 (tied) at 155 pounds respectively in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, vie for an interim title with undisputed champion Ilia Topuria currently on hiatus from competition for personal reasons.
If Gaethje (26-5) is victorious Saturday night, he’ll notch a unique place for himself in the UFC history books as the only fighter to become interim champion twice. That would just be the first step in a bigger goal for Gaethje as he hopes to cap off his illustrious career with an undisputed title to his name, possibly in a marquee slot at the upcoming UFC White House event.
Pimblett (23-3) is 7-0 in the UFC and looks to silence the doubters by putting gold around his waist, interim or otherwise. Recent wins over Michael Chandler, King Green, and Tony Ferguson have continued to raise the Englishman’s profile while also raising questions as to whether he is benefiting from facing past-their-prime opposition. Beating the always dangerous Gaethje will go a long way towards boosting Pimblett’s credentials.
Check out the UFC 324 live blog for Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett below.
Yup, it’s about to happen: Either Gaethje becomes an interim champion twice-over, or Pimblett shocks the world and lays claim to some form of UFC title. Are you ready???
Crowd is going absolutely CRAZY for Pimblett. He’s soaking in every minute. Love him or hate him, the man has a connection with the audience. “Superstar” is not overselling it.
Atmosphere is a little more somber for Gaethje. Could this be the last time we see “The Highlight” make the walk to the octagon?
It’s Pimblett’s fight to lose as FanDuel has him posted as the -245 favorite. Gaethje a 2-to-1 underdog in what could be his final crack at a UFC title.
Marc Goddard the third man in the cage for your main event.
Pimblett with a wide open stance, looking to swipe at Gaethje’s legs from long range. Right hand from Pimblett over the top, that gets Gaethje flinching. Pimblett with a leg kick and then a left hand. Gaethje answers with a right. Another right over the top from Pimblett connects. High kick to Gaethje’s face, he just eats it. Gaethje with an uppercut. Gaethje swarming and that uppercut hurt Pimblett!
Pimblett on his knees turtling up, Gaethje picking his shots. Gaethje backs off to let Pimblett stand. Pimblett was landing good shots earlier, but once Gaethje got in his face, that changed the fight. He’s finding success again though, Gaethje just eating punches and another high kick. Gaethje doesn’t seem to care.
Gaethje with a right hand that misses, but he transitions into a body lock. The separate and it’s Pimblett with a wild swing, Gaethje pops him with a quick combo. Nice uppercut by Pimblett. Teep kick pushes Gaethje back. Right hand from Gaethje as he chases Pimblett, but the action pauses with Pimblett complaining of an eye poke. Goddard saw it and the replays confirm that Gaethje’s fingers were right in there, just a wide open hand to the face.
Fortunately the action resumes after Goddard gives Gaethje a stern warning. More leg kicks from Pimblett, but he eats another Gaethje right. Pimblett just standing in the pocket trading with him. No fear on either side, wow. Gaethje to the body. Action-packed five minutes.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Gaethje.
Pimblett going to the jab here, looking to control the range. He’s still mixing in the leg kicks as well. Gaethje stuffs a takedown and he’s working the front headlock until they’re back up. Pawing jab by Gaethje, that one hurt. Body kick by Pimblett and he stumbles after. Awkward moment. Gaethje with a stiff left in the clinch. This is a dirty, grimy fight. Just like Gaethje likes it.
Uppercut from Pimblett. Gaethje probably didn’t like that. He pressures Pimblett with punches. Leg kick from Pimblett and Gaethje just walks through it to land another jab. Knees to the body in the clinch by Pimblett. Jab from Gaethje as they separate. Gaethje is throwing wide, winging punches. Right hand scores for Gaethje, then a pair of jabs. Another Gaethje uppercut, then he drags Pimblett down with a front headlock. It’s not even Round 3 yet and it feels like they’re in deep waters.
As they start to rise, Gaethje throws a knee and that looks like it knocked Pimblett over if not down. Gaethje still coming forward and a right hand sends Pimblett crumbling against the fence. Gaethje on top throwing punches and elbows. Pimblett still in there but he has to hang on with 30 seconds left in the round. Gaethje stands as Pimblett throws upkicks, then Gaethje just drops down with an elbow right on Pimblett’s face. Bam.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Gaethje. Overall, 20-18 Gaethje.
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