UFC 324 main event reaction: Justin Gaethje defeats valiant Paddy Pimblett in five-round war

Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision over five rounds in the UFC lightweight interim title fight main event on January 25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The judges scored the contest 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 – with Gaethje putting in a dominant display to clinch the interim title by winning four rounds to one on two of the scorecards.

Pimblett did not go down without a fight, though, exhibiting admirable toughness across the contest, but the Liverpudlian took considerable damage the judges could not ignore.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Aidan Leo runs through the top reactions to the bout.

Champion reacts in aftermath of win

Gaethje admitted in the post-fight interview that his strategy was to take command of the cage and push Pimblett backwards, likely to limit the potential of takedowns.

However, due to the openings that Pimblett elicited in his defences, Gaethje was able to find success in the first round, got a rush of blood and looked for the finish.

This was a consistent theme over the course of the fight, but Pimblett’s toughness remained firm in holding off Gaethje’s brash offence.

“Yeah, my coach was definitely upset with me after the first round,’’ Gaethje said in the octagon afterwards.

“I just love this so much. It’s really hard to control myself sometimes and so my coach had to really pull me back.’’

Despite the overt damage Pimblett took in the fight, Gaethje lauded his resilience in the fight, saying: “My God, what a … gangster.’’

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‘No man I’d rather lose to’

Pimblett likewise praised Gaethje’s efforts in the fight, commenting on his cemented legendary status in the sport.

“I wanted to leave with that belt, but there’s no other man I’d rather lose to than ‘The Highlight’,’’ Pimblett said.

“It shows why he’s a legend right there.’’

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Pimblett to return better than before

The 31-year-old assured his fans that he will be back stronger and better despite the heartwrenching loss.

“I’m not going to lie,’’ Pimblett said.

“He hit me with a body shot in the first round, he hit me in the solar plexus, and it got me.

“You live and you learn. I'm 31, I will be back better. You haven’t seen the last of me.”

The UFC heads to Sydney, Australia next for UFC 325 at the Qudos Bank Arena on January 31, featuring Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes as the main event for the undisputed featherweight title.

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