UFC 324: Justin Gaethje Vs. Paddy Pimblett Headline First.
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will be the faces of the UFC on Saturday when the premier company in mixed-martial arts stages its first card on Paramount+.
It helps the UFC that both are fan favorites, but based strictly on rankings, it's doubtful whether they need to heading such an essential occasion, much less compete for the interim lightweight title.
But a variety of factors resulted in fourth-ranked opposition Gaethje (26-5) facing No. 5 Pimblett (23-3) at UFC 324. Reigning champion Ilia Topuria has actually taken a leave of lack for individual reasons, top-ranked challenger Arman is recovering from a back injury and No. 2 Charles Oliveira and No. 3 Max Holloway are set up to battle each other at UFC 326 on March 7.
That doesn't indicate, nevertheless, that Gaethje and Pimblett aren't an intriguing matchup. This might be the final bout for the 37-year-old Gaethje, who combats out of Denver.
"It ´ s been a hell of a trip," Gaethje stated. "I ´ m blessed to be offered such huge chances by the company. This is a huge chance to be the centerpiece red (higher-ranked) corner of the very first Paramount card. I understand they trust me. They know I ´ m the most constant guy, the most exciting guy, which ´ s probably why I ´ m here.
"He goes into familiar territory as the underdog. Pimblett, 31, is a -235 preferred at BetMGM Sportsbook, and Gaethje stated this is the 11th time in 14 such bouts the odds have actually been versus him and it often hasn't worked out in his opponent's favor.
FILE - Justin Gaethje, left, commemorates after defeating Rafael Fiziev in a UFC 313 mixed martial arts light-weight bout, March 8, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
It's that championship-level experience, the former light-weight champ said, that must offer him a benefit over Pimblett. The fighter out of Liverpool, England, is contending in his very first title bout.
"It ´ s going to be nice to have another legend ´ s name on me resume, "Pimblett stated. "It ´ s an honor to share the octagon with him. He ´ s somebody I ´ ve been viewing for years and years. He ´ s had a few of the very best battles I ´ ve ever seen in the UFC. That ´ s what we ´ re in this game for, individuals you view. You desire to eventually battle them and beat them."
He has actually been waiting for this minute considering that walking into a fitness center at 15 and stating he would one day be a champ. Pimblett said he got booted from the fitness center that day, however that didn't hinder him.
Though he stated training during the vacation season "destroyed my Christmas" and he would never ever set up another January battle, the wait and the work have actually deserved it.
"It's an honor to be the centerpiece of the very first Paramount card," Pimblett said. "It demonstrates how much the UFC believes me and Justin to place on an excellent fight, and it's world title battle. It would be insane after 16 years for this to occur, and it's finally here."
Both fighters took popular oral chance ats each other, however there does not appear to be any specific animosity between them.
"I think he's actually great," Gaethje said. "I think this sport is crazy. I think anything can occur at any minute."
In the co-main event, third-ranked challenger Sean O'Malley (18-3) of Phoenix deals with No. 5 Song Yadong (22-8-1) of China in a bantamweight fight.
The UFC had put its numbered cards on pay-per-view, but the organization signed a seven-year handle Paramount in August that now airs those and other events on the subscription-based streaming service. CBS will simulcast some events.
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FILE - Michael Chandler, left, and Paddy Pimblett fight throughout a combined martial arts battle at UFC 314, April 13, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)