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 very first card on Paramount+.
It assists the UFC that both are fan favorites, but based strictly on rankings, it's doubtful whether they must headline such an essential event, much less contend for the interim light-weight title.
But a variety of factors caused fourth-ranked opposition Gaethje (26-5) dealing with No. 5 Pimblett (23-3) at UFC 324. Reigning champ Ilia Topuria has taken a leave of absence for personal factors, top-ranked opposition Arman Tsarukyan is recovering from a back injury and No. 2 Charles Oliveira and No. 3 Max Holloway are arranged to fight each other at UFC 326 on March 7.
That does not suggest, however, that Gaethje and Pimblett aren't an interesting match. This could be the last bout for the 37-year-old Gaethje, who fights out of Denver.
"It ´ s been a hell of a ride," Gaethje said. "I ´ m blessed to be provided such substantial chances by the business. This is a big chance to be the primary event red (higher-ranked) corner of the first Paramount card. I understand they trust me. They know I ´ m the most consistent guy, the most exciting guy, and that ´ s most likely why I ´ m here.
"He enters familiar territory 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 been against 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 blended martial arts light-weight bout, March 8, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
It's that championship-level experience, the former lightweight champ said, that should give him an advantage over Pimblett. The fighter out of Liverpool, England, is competing in his 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 expecting years and years. He ´ s had a few of the finest fights I ´ ve ever viewed in the UFC. That ´ s what we ´ re in this game for, the people you view. You want to ultimately fight them and beat them."
He has been waiting on this minute because strolling into a health club at 15 and saying he would one day be a champion. Pimblett stated he got booted from the that day, however that didn't prevent him.
Though he stated training during the holiday season "destroyed my Christmas" and he would never ever 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 demonstrates how much the UFC believes me and Justin to place on a great battle, and it's world title battle. It would be outrageous after 16 years for this to occur, and it's lastly here."
Both fighters took popular oral shots at each other, but there does not seem to be any specific animosity in between them.
"I think he's actually good," Gaethje stated. "I believe this sport is crazy. I believe anything can occur anytime."
In the co-main event, third-ranked challenger 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 company signed a seven-year handle Paramount in August that now airs those and other events on the subscription-based streaming service. CBS will simulcast some occasions.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
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)
