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 stages its first card on Paramount+.
It assists the UFC that both are fan favorites, however based strictly on rankings, it's questionable whether they ought to heading such a crucial occasion, much less compete for the interim lightweight title.
But a number of aspects resulted in fourth-ranked opposition Gaethje (26-5) dealing with No. 5 Pimblett (23-3) at UFC 324. Reigning champ Ilia Topuria has actually taken a leave of lack for individual reasons, top-ranked opposition Arman Tsarukyan is recuperating 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 imply, however, that Gaethje and Pimblett aren't an appealing matchup. This might be the last bout for the 37-year-old Gaethje, who fights out of Denver.
"It ´ s been a hell of a trip," Gaethje said. "I ´ m blessed to be provided such big chances by the company. This is a big chance to be the centerpiece red (higher-ranked) corner of the first Paramount card. I know they trust me. They understand I ´ m the most consistent guy, the most amazing guy, and that ´ s most likely why I ´ m here.
"He gets in familiar area as the underdog. Pimblett, 31, is a -235 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook, and Gaethje stated this is the 11th time in 14 such bouts the odds have protested him and it often hasn't exercised in his opponent's favor.
FILE - Justin Gaethje, left, commemorates after defeating 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 experience, the previous lightweight champ said, that must offer him a benefit over Pimblett. The fighter out of Liverpool, England, is completing in his very first title bout.
"It ´ s going to be great to have another legend ´ s name on me resume, "Pimblett said. "It ´ s an honor to share the octagon with him. He ´ s someone I ´ ve been enjoying for years and years. He ´ s had a few of the very best fights I ´ ve ever enjoyed in the UFC. That ´ s what we ´ re in this game for, the people you see. You desire to eventually battle them and beat them."
He has been waiting on this moment because walking into a gym at 15 and saying he would one day be a champion. Pimblett stated he got booted from the health club that day, however that didn't discourage him.
Though he stated training during the vacation season "destroyed my Christmas" and he would never schedule another January battle, the wait and the work have deserved it.
"It's an honor to be the centerpiece of the very first Paramount card," Pimblett said. "It reveals how much the UFC trusts me and Justin to place on a good battle, and it's world title fight. It would be ridiculous after 16 years for this to occur, and it's lastly here."
Both fighters took popular oral chance ats each other, but there doesn't seem to be any specific bitterness in between them.
"I believe he's actually great," Gaethje stated. "I think this sport is insane. I think anything can happen anytime."
In the co-main event, third-ranked opposition Sean O'Malley (18-3) of Phoenix faces No. 5 Song Yadong (22-8-1) of China in a bantamweight battle.
The UFC had actually 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 battle during a combined martial arts fight at UFC 314, April 13, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)