Don’t expect a submission finish at UFC 324.
That’s because No. 5-ranked Lightweight Paddy Pimblett fully intends to knock out former interim champion Justin Gaethje in the UFC 324 main event next month (Sat., Jan. 24, 2026) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Everyone’s gonna be shocked because I think I’m gonna knock him out,” Pimblett told Red Corner MMA recently. “People won’t expect that. People just think I’m going to grapple and take him down, but I’m not. I’m going to come out and put it on him. I don’t see him getting past the third, just like Chandler.”
To his credit, Pimblett’s striking has steadily improved. But trading punches with Gaethje is like juggling lit dynamite — the same man who became the first fighter to ever knock down Max Holloway. Then again, Scousers don’t get knocked out, right?
“I knew I would be fighting for the belt. To fight a legend like Justin Gaethje for the interim belt — I’ve paid my dues to get this, lad,” he said. “I’ll win this interim belt, I’ll beat up Ilia and take the proper belt, defend that, and then I’ll go up and win the Welterweight belt.”
Another champ-champ?? Time will tell.
For now, Pimblett (23-3) remains undefeated inside the Octagon at 7-0, entering UFC 324 on the heels of the biggest win of his career — a third-round stoppage of Chandler — which itself followed a first-round submission over King Green (watch highlights).
For the current UFC 324: “Gaethje vs. Pimblett” fight card and Paramount+ lineup click here.