TLDR
- Paddy Pimblett will strike with Justin Gaethje instead of grappling at UFC 324 on Jan. 24
- Pimblett plans to follow Max Holloway’s blueprint from his buzzer-beater knockout of Gaethje at UFC 300
- Pimblett references his dominant win over Michael Chandler compared to Gaethje’s war with Chandler
- Gaethje responded “No” when asked if he feels threatened by Pimblett’s skills
- The fight is for the interim lightweight title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Sources: MMA Fighting | ESPN MMA | MMA Junkie
Paddy Pimblett says he will stand and trade punches with Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas, following the same gameplan Max Holloway used to knock out “The Highlight” in 2024. Gaethje isn’t concerned.
The two lightweights will fight for the interim title at T-Mobile Arena. Most expect Pimblett to use his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills and take the fight to the ground, but the Liverpool fighter has different plans.
“I’ll keep it on the feet with him,” Pimblett told TNT Sports. “There’s the blueprint there to beat him, Max done it.”
Pimblett points to Holloway’s performance at UFC 300 as proof the strategy works. Holloway picked Gaethje apart with striking for five rounds before landing a buzzer-beater knockout to win the BMF title.
Pimblett References Chandler Wins
The 29-year-old fighter believes his striking is better than people think. He compares his recent win over Michael Chandler to Gaethje’s 2021 “Fight of the Year” war with the same opponent.
“Everyone underestimates my striking,” Pimblett said. “Everyone thinks I’m just going to come in and I’m going to take him down, and I’m not.”
Pimblett dominated Chandler in his last fight. Gaethje fought Chandler to a unanimous decision win in 2021 in what many called one of the best fights of the year.
“He had an absolute war with Chandler, and I pieced Chandler up,” Pimblett said. “So, I know MMA math doesn’t work, but you’ll see come January 24, when we have a perfect game plan, and we finish him within three.”
The British fighter, who holds a 23-3 record, predicts he will finish Gaethje within three rounds. Gaethje enters the fight with a 26-5 record and is known as one of the sport’s most dangerous knockout artists.
Gaethje Shows No Concern
When asked if he feels threatened by Pimblett’s skills inside the Octagon, Gaethje gave a simple response. “No,” he said.
Gaethje has built his reputation on brutal striking exchanges and powerful punches. He can end fights with a single shot, which makes Pimblett’s decision to stand and trade even more surprising.
Pimblett has developed a reputation for keeping his chin high when trading shots. This tendency could prove dangerous against a fighter like Gaethje who specializes in knockouts.
The interim lightweight title is up for grabs because the current champion is unavailable. The winner will likely face the undisputed champion later in 2026.
Holloway, who provided the blueprint Pimblett wants to follow, has moved on to his next challenge. The former featherweight champion is scheduled to fight Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 on March 7 in Las Vegas.
Pimblett enters UFC 324 as a grappler willing to test his striking against one of the division’s most feared punchers. Gaethje remains unfazed by the challenge.
