TLDR
- Paddy Pimblett posted his first statement on Instagram three days after losing to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324
- CT scans came back clean and Pimblett confirmed he has no injuries from the five-round fight
- The loss snapped Pimblett’s seven-fight UFC winning streak and dropped his record to 7-1 in the promotion
- Pimblett congratulated Gaethje and said ‘the better man won’ with no excuses for the defeat
- The Liverpool fighter expressed confidence in his championship destiny and requested a future rematch for undisputed gold
Sources: MMA Mania | MMA Fighting | Yahoo Sports
Paddy Pimblett broke his silence Tuesday following his first UFC loss, assuring fans he has no injuries and expressing confidence he will capture championship gold in the future. The Liverpool fighter posted his statement on Instagram three days after losing to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324.
The 29-year-old lightweight contender suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Gaethje in the main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The fight was for the interim lightweight title and went the full five rounds.
Pimblett was transported to a Las Vegas hospital after the fight for precautionary CT scans of his head and face. All tests came back clean, and he confirmed in his statement that he is injury-free.
Paddy Pimblett issues first statement since Justin Gaethje defeathttps://t.co/mwkPhpcteA pic.twitter.com/tHHQXIoBIw
— All Out Fighting (@AllOutFighting) January 28, 2026
Pimblett Takes Accountability for Loss
“Hope everyone enjoyed my fight just as much as I did, want to thank everyone that came to support and everyone watching at home,” Pimblett wrote. “I’m all good no injuries went into the fight feeling amazing had a great camp and an easy weight cut.”
The fighter known as “The Baddy” made clear he has no excuses for the loss. “No excuses the better man won on the night [Justin Gaethje] congratulations brother it was an honour to share the cage with such a legend go get that undisputed title ur career deserves it,” he continued.
Gaethje dropped Pimblett multiple times during the fight, starting in the first round. Despite the damage, Pimblett showed toughness by going the distance against one of the division’s hardest hitters.
The loss snapped Pimblett’s seven-fight UFC winning streak and dropped his promotional record to 7-1. His overall MMA record now stands at 23-4.
This marked Pimblett’s first five-round fight against elite lightweight competition. The bout earned Fight of the Night honors despite the one-sided nature of the decision.
Eyes Set on Future Championship Rematch
Pimblett expressed confidence in his championship destiny and desire for a future rematch. “Hopefully we can run it back for the undisputed because I still know it’s in my destiny to win that gold,” he stated.
He also thanked the UFC for the opportunity. “UFC thank you for the opportunity yous all know I’ll be back for that belt in the near future,” Pimblett concluded.
Before facing Gaethje, Pimblett had built momentum with high-profile wins over Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, and King Green. Those victories established him as one of the UFC’s fastest-rising stars and earned him the interim title shot.
Gaethje is expected to face undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria in a title unification bout later in 2026. Pimblett wished his opponent well in pursuing that opportunity.
The defeat halts Pimblett’s immediate title aspirations but solidified his status as a legitimate contender in the lightweight division. A bounce-back fight later in 2026 appears likely as he begins rebuilding toward another championship opportunity.
Pimblett had remained mostly quiet after briefly speaking with Joe Rogan in the Octagon immediately following the loss. His Instagram post on January 27, 2026, marked his first detailed public comments since the fight.
