TLDR
- Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett fight for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24 in Las Vegas
- Gaethje promises to force Pimblett to wrestle instead of strike despite Pimblett’s claim he will stand and trade
- Gaethje believes Pimblett will make mistakes by committing too much power to his strikes and leaving openings
- Pimblett is known as an ace grappler while Gaethje is primarily known for his striking abilities
- Gaethje has grappled with top opponents like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira in previous fights
Sources: Sherdog | UFC.com | ESPN MMA
Justin Gaethje doesn’t believe Paddy Pimblett will stand and trade strikes with him for five full rounds. The two fighters meet for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Gaethje enters the bout with a record of 26-5, while Pimblett stands at 23-3. Despite being known primarily for his striking, Gaethje plans to force his opponent into wrestling.
Pimblett, who is recognized as an ace grappler, has publicly promised to stand and exchange strikes with Gaethje. But Gaethje has made his own promise in response.
“I’m definitely going to turn him into a wrestler, I promise you that,” Gaethje told New York Post Sports. “But we’ll see, he is super dangerous.”
Gaethje Plans to Exploit Openings
Gaethje acknowledges that Pimblett poses a real threat in the octagon. He says “The Baddy” commits fully to his strikes with maximum power.
However, Gaethje believes this commitment creates vulnerabilities he can take advantage of. “He absolutely commits 100% of his power into his shots,” Gaethje said.
“But he does leave himself open,” Gaethje continued. “And I have to use my experience and my technical abilities to take advantage of those mistakes.”
Gaethje emphasized that errors at the championship level can be costly. “He’s gonna make mistakes. And you cannot make mistakes at this level,” he said.
A viral video of Pimblett’s shadow boxing has drawn criticism online and increased attention for the fight. Analysts have debated whether the criticism of Pimblett’s technique is overblown.
Experience Gap Between the Fighters
The two fighters have faced different levels of competition in their grappling exchanges. Pimblett’s highest-level opponents have been Bobby Green and Michael Chandler.
Gaethje has tested his grappling against some of the best in the sport. He has faced submission specialists Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, though he lost both fights.
While Pimblett possesses high-level wrestling skills, Gaethje’s experience against elite grapplers could prove valuable. His training camp has focused on wrestling preparation for this matchup.
Gaethje’s striking prowess has made him one of the most dangerous fighters in the lightweight division. He has earned a reputation for violent, action-packed fights throughout his UFC career.
Pimblett has built a loyal fan base with his personality and fighting style. His grappling skills have secured him multiple submission victories in the UFC.
The interim lightweight title is on the line because the undisputed champion is currently unavailable. This fight gives both men a chance to stake their claim as the top contender.
The bout takes place this Saturday, January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It marks one of the biggest fights in both fighters’ careers.
