TLDR
- Israel Adesanya compared UFC 324’s main event to the Griffin-Bonnar fight from 2005
- The comparison relates to both fights launching new broadcast deals for the UFC
- Gaethje defeated Pimblett in a five-round battle on the first Paramount UFC card
- Adesanya praised Pimblett’s toughness, calling him a ‘zombie’ who proved hard to finish
- Gaethje became the first two-time interim champion in UFC history with the victory
Sources: Bloody Elbow | MMA Junkie | Bleacher Report
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya compared the UFC 324 main event between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett to one of the most important fights in mixed martial arts history. He drew parallels to the legendary Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar bout from 2005.
The comparison came after Gaethje defeated Pimblett in a five-round battle on Saturday night. UFC 324 marked the first event under the UFC’s new broadcast rights deal with Paramount.
“Main event was sick,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “This was sick, because the Spike TV deal, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar showed out and made the whole world go, ‘What the f*ck?!’ This is like part two, I guess, because it’s a new deal with Paramount and then the main event f*cking showed out.”
The Griffin-Bonnar fight took place at The Ultimate Fighter 1 finale in 2005. It aired live on Spike TV and is widely considered the most important fight in MMA history.
Why the Griffin-Bonnar Fight Matters
The Griffin-Bonnar contest is credited with launching the UFC’s growth in the mid-2000s. The thrilling battle helped transform the promotion into a multibillion-dollar industry.
That fight became the first one inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Its impact on the sport’s popularity remains unmatched.
Adesanya believes the UFC wanted to start their new Paramount deal with a similar statement. “I don’t know how that works in America with the subscription, but I’m sure everyone watched this,” he said. “A lot of eyes on this, and then the main event delivered, which is what you want.”
Before UFC 324, Gaethje said he and Pimblett were chosen to headline because they were guaranteed to deliver action. The fight lived up to that promise.
Pimblett Earns Respect in Defeat
Gaethje battered Pimblett throughout the fight, but the Liverpool fighter refused to be finished. Adesanya praised Pimblett’s toughness and resilience.
“Shout out to Paddy,” Adesanya said. “For him to get an interim fight, it reminded me of my one. I was like, ‘Man, you have to really put it in there,’ and he went! He put it in. And he managed to stay up, so he proved that Scousers don’t get knocked out.”
Adesanya called Pimblett a “zombie” for his ability to absorb punishment and keep fighting. The former champion believes Pimblett earned respect despite losing the bout.
For Gaethje, the victory made him the first two-time interim champion in UFC history. Adesanya, who is also in his late 30s, felt a connection to Gaethje’s performance.
“That’s what they do, but the old dogs are still here,” Adesanya said. “You’ve got to remember that.”
Gaethje is now 8-3 as an underdog in UFC fights. The 36-year-old veteran continues to compete at the highest level of the lightweight division.
The fight is considered an early frontrunner for Fight of the Year in 2026. UFC 324 was the first event of the year and kicked off the promotion’s new partnership with Paramount.
