UFC 324: Justin Gaethje Vs. Paddy Pimblett Headline First.
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will be the faces of the UFC on Saturday when the premier company in mixed-martial arts phases its first card on Paramount+.
It helps the UFC that both are fan favorites, however based strictly on rankings, it's doubtful whether they need to headline such an essential occasion, much less compete for the interim light-weight title.
But a variety of factors led to fourth-ranked opposition Gaethje (26-5) facing No. 5 Pimblett (23-3) at UFC 324. Reigning champion Ilia Topuria has actually taken a leave of absence for individual factors, top-ranked challenger Arman Tsarukyan is recovering from a back injury and No. 2 Charles Oliveira and No. 3 Max Holloway are set up to combat each other at UFC 326 on March 7.
That doesn't suggest, nevertheless, that Gaethje and Pimblett aren't an intriguing matchup. This might be the last bout for the 37 Gaethje, who fights out of Denver.
"It ´ s been a hell of a ride," Gaethje said. "I ´ m blessed to be given such huge opportunities by the company. This is a huge chance to be the main event red (higher-ranked) corner of the very first Paramount card. I understand they trust me. They know I ´ m the most consistent guy, the most interesting guy, and that ´ s most likely why I ´ m here.
"He goes into familiar territory as the underdog. Pimblett, 31, is a -235 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook, and Gaethje said this is the 11th time in 14 such bouts the odds have actually protested him and it often hasn't worked out in his challenger's favor.
FILE - Justin Gaethje, left, commemorates after beating Rafael Fiziev in a UFC 313 mixed martial arts light-weight bout, March 8, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
It's that championship-level experience, the previous lightweight champ said, that must provide him an advantage over Pimblett. The fighter out of Liverpool, England, is competing in his very first title bout.
"It ´ s going to be good to have another legend ´ s name on me resume, "Pimblett stated. "It ´ s an honor to share the octagon with him. He ´ s someone I ´ ve been looking for years and years. He ´ s had some of the finest fights I ´ ve ever seen in the UFC. That ´ s what we ´ re in this game for, the individuals you see. You wish to ultimately combat them and beat them."
He has been awaiting this minute given that strolling into a health club at 15 and stating he would one day be a champion. Pimblett stated he got booted from the health club that day, however that didn't prevent him.
Though he said training throughout the holiday "destroyed my Christmas" and he would never ever schedule another January fight, the wait and the work have actually deserved it.
"It's an honor to be the primary event of the very first Paramount card," Pimblett stated. "It reveals how much the UFC trusts me and Justin to put on an excellent battle, and it's world title battle. It would be insane after 16 years for this to happen, and it's finally here."
Both fighters took popular oral chance ats each other, however there does not seem to be any specific bitterness between them.
"I think he's really excellent," Gaethje said. "I think this sport is crazy. I believe anything can occur anytime."
In the co-main occasion, third-ranked opposition Sean O'Malley (18-3) of Phoenix deals with No. 5 Song Yadong (22-8-1) of China in a bantamweight fight.
The UFC had put its numbered cards on pay-per-view, but the organization signed a seven-year handle Paramount in August that now airs those and other occasions on the subscription-based streaming service. CBS will simulcast some events.
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FILE - Michael Chandler, left, and Paddy Pimblett fight during a blended martial arts battle at UFC 314, April 13, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)