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, but based strictly on rankings, it's doubtful whether they ought to heading such a crucial occasion, much less complete for the interim light-weight title.
But a number of factors led to fourth-ranked challenger Gaethje (26-5) facing No. 5 Pimblett (23-3) at UFC 324. Reigning champ Ilia Topuria has 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 scheduled to combat each other at UFC 326 on March 7.
That doesn't mean, nevertheless, that Gaethje and Pimblett aren't an interesting matchup. This could be the last bout for the 37-year-old Gaethje, who combats out of Denver.
"It ´ s been a hell of a ride," Gaethje stated. "I ´ m blessed to be given such huge opportunities by the company. This is a substantial opportunity to be the main occasion red (higher-ranked) corner of the first Paramount card. I understand they trust me. They know I ´ m the most constant guy, the most interesting 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 chances have actually been against him and it frequently hasn't exercised in his opponent's favor.
FILE - Justin Gaethje, left, celebrates 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 previous light-weight champ said, that should give him a benefit over Pimblett. The fighter out of Liverpool, England, is completing 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 some of the best battles I ´ ve ever watched in the UFC. That ´ s what we ´ re in this game for, the individuals you view. You wish to ultimately combat them and beat them."
He has actually been waiting on this moment since into a fitness center at 15 and stating he would one day be a champ. Pimblett stated he got booted from the fitness center that day, however that didn't hinder him.
Though he stated training throughout the holiday season "destroyed my Christmas" and he would never ever arrange another January battle, the wait and the work have actually deserved it.
"It's an honor to be the primary occasion of the very first Paramount card," Pimblett stated. "It reveals how much the UFC believes me and Justin to put on an excellent fight, and it's world title fight. It would be crazy after 16 years for this to happen, and it's finally here."
Both fighters took traditional oral shots at each other, but there does not seem to be any particular animosity between them.
"I believe he's truly good," Gaethje stated. "I believe this sport is insane. I believe anything can take place at any minute."
In the co-main event, third-ranked challenger Sean O'Malley (18-3) of Phoenix deals with No. 5 Song Yadong (22-8-1) of China in a bantamweight battle.
The UFC had put its numbered cards on pay-per-view, but the company signed a seven-year deal with Paramount in August that now airs those and other events on the subscription-based streaming service. CBS will simulcast some events.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
FILE - Michael Chandler, left, and Paddy Pimblett fight during a combined martial arts fight at UFC 314, April 13, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
