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‘He Needs To Die And Be Born Again”
TL;DR
Paddy Pimblett lost to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, missing his chance to capture interim gold. Gaethje's victory means he will face Ilia Topuria next, leaving Pimblett's future in question.
Key points
- Paddy Pimblett lost to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324
- Gaethje won the interim championship
- Pimblett was expected to face Ilia Topuria next
- Topuria is disappointed by Pimblett's performance
- Pimblett's future as a contender is now uncertain
Paddy PimblettJustin GaethjeIlia TopuriaUFC 324
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 24: Paddy Pimblett of England reacts to the decison in the UFC lightweight interim championship bout during the UFC 324 event at T-Mobile Arena on January 24, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
UFC 324 was supposed to be the Paddy Pimblett show.
Everything was lined up for “The Baddy” to capture interim gold on the biggest stage possible. Not only did Pimblett have a significant edge in momentum and youth over Justin Gaethje, but “The Highlight” was hampered by an apparent staph infection. Pimblett was supposed to dispose of another older fighter in the UFC’s Paramount debut, setting the stage for an Ilia Topuria title grudge match five years in the making.
Instead, Gaethje beat Pimblett from pillar to post (watch here), walked away with interim gold, and will now take Pimblett’s would-be opportunity against Topuria at the UFC White House. It was , who was looking forward to a high-profile grudge match as his first title defense. Three months later, Topuria is less bothered by losing the chance to face Pimblett, but he still can’t believe how badly the Englishman performed and questioned whether he can ever become a true contender.
Q&A
What happened in the UFC 324 fight between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje?
Paddy Pimblett lost to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, where Gaethje dominated the match and won the interim championship.
How did Justin Gaethje's performance affect Ilia Topuria's title shot?
Justin Gaethje's victory over Pimblett means he will now face Ilia Topuria for the title, taking the opportunity that Pimblett was expected to have.
What are the implications of Paddy Pimblett's loss for his MMA career?
Paddy Pimblett's loss raises questions about his potential as a contender, especially after a disappointing performance against Gaethje.