Michael Bisping believes some adjustments could’ve been a difference maker for Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324.
Pimblett fought Justin Gaethje for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship this past Saturday. “The Baddy” had his moments, but he took a lot of damage from “The Highlight” throughout the final fight of UFC’s debut card on Paramount+. Gaethje took home the unanimous decision win and the interim gold.
When discussing the fight on TNT Sports, Bisping shared his belief that Pimblett needed to make some defensive adjustments (via Bloody Elbow).
“But if I’m talking about the fight strategically, I mean, listen, Paddy was great with the heart and everything and he rocked him and the uppercuts were beautiful and he caught him with some shots later on in the rounds as Justin was coming forward.
“But I wish he put his chin down a little bit and brought his hands up a little bit. And I know that’s his style, and he gets away with it, and my word, has he got a chin and I’m impressed so I’m not talking trash.
“But it’s like there could’ve just been a few better defensive things and maybe we’d have had a different result here.”
This is Pimblett’s first defeat under the UFC banner. It’s also his first pro MMA loss since Sept. 2018. Pimblett had been riding a nine-fight winning streak.
While Pimblett will need to go back to the drawing board, Gaethje is looking forward to a lightweight title unification bout against Ilia Topuria. Some fans were hoping that Pimblett would emerge victorious to finally share the Octagon with Topuria. The two have had bad blood for the past few years, and Topuria ripped Pimblett’s efforts at UFC 324.
Do you think Paddy Pimblett can make a strong comeback following the loss to Justin Gaethje? Let us know in the comment section below.