TLDR
- Pimblett believes his awkward, unorthodox style makes him difficult for Gaethje to prepare for with sparring partners
- The Liverpool fighter plans to keep the fight standing and out-strike Gaethje rather than wrestle
- Pimblett points to his striking victory over Michael Chandler as evidence he can beat Gaethje on the feet
- Despite their upcoming fight, Pimblett called Gaethje one of his favorite fighters and said real MMA fans must respect him
- UFC 324 takes place January 24 and will be the first UFC event to air on Paramount+ under the new streaming deal
Sources: Bloody Elbow | Body Slam | MMA Mania
Paddy Pimblett believes his unusual fighting style will give Justin Gaethje trouble when they meet for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324 on January 24. The Liverpool fighter says Gaethje won’t be able to find sparring partners who can replicate his movements.
“I do everything differently,” Pimblett told TNT Sports. “I’m not normal, so he’s not going to be able to get a sparring partner that grapples like me or strikes like me because I’m a weirdo.”
Pimblett explained that his awkward approach makes him difficult to prepare for. “You can’t really get a sparring partner in to do me because I’m so awkward,” he said.
The 30-year-old fighter has won praise from fans and fellow fighters for his entertaining style. His unorthodox methods have helped him climb the lightweight rankings.
Pimblett Plans to Keep Fight Standing
Despite his strong grappling background, Pimblett says he plans to strike with Gaethje rather than take the fight to the ground. He pointed to his previous performance against Michael Chandler at UFC 314 as proof he can out-strike top opponents.
“I’ll keep it on the feet with him,” Pimblett said. “There’s the blueprint there to beat him, Max [Holloway] done it. Everyone underestimates my striking.”
Paddy Pimblett open to standing with Justin Gaethje, makes UFC 324 fight prediction: Paddy Pimblett plans to mix the martial arts at UFC 324 and maybe not in a way most would expect. During his 7-0 UFC run “The Baddy” has earned a… https://t.co/k1nG1qK63f #ytb #news #samurai pic.twitter.com/D5SZznttli
— @samuraijitsu (@samuraijitsu1) January 13, 2026
Pimblett defeated Chandler in a striking battle earlier in 2025. Gaethje had an all-out war with Chandler in a previous fight, which Pimblett sees as a measuring stick.
“He had an absolute war with Chandler and I pieced Chandler up,” Pimblett stated. “I know MMA math doesn’t work, but you’ll see come Jan. 24, when we have a perfect gameplan and we finish him within three.”
The fighter predicted he would finish Gaethje within three rounds. He expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and strategy for the bout.
Pimblett Praises Gaethje Despite Upcoming Fight
Despite the competitive nature of their upcoming fight, Pimblett had high praise for his opponent. He called Gaethje one of his favorite fighters and said anyone who dislikes him isn’t a real MMA fan.
“I am a Justin Gaethje fan, not was, I am,” Pimblett said. “And anyone who is an MMA fan and isn’t a Justin Gaethje fan, isn’t an MMA fan.”
Pimblett continued his praise by calling Gaethje “your favorite fighters favorite fighter.” He said Gaethje is “one of the best fighters that you can watch.”
“The fact that I’m now getting in there against him is what dreams are made of,” Pimblett added.
Pimblett addressed criticism he expects to receive regardless of his victory. He said fans discredited his win over Chandler by calling him old and predicted similar reactions after beating Gaethje.
“When I beat Chandler, everyone was like, ‘He’s old. He’s 2-5 in UFC,'” Pimblett said. “When I beat Justin, it’s going to be, ‘He’s old, he’s about to retire.’ No matter who I beat. When I beat Ilia, it’ll be, ‘He was never that good.’ So it doesn’t matter who I beat, the goalposts get moved.”
UFC 324 marks the first UFC event to air on Paramount+ under the promotion’s new streaming deal. The main card will start at 9 PM ET, with prelims at 7 PM ET and early prelims at 5 PM ET, all available to Paramount+ subscribers on any tier.
