UFC 324: Justin Gaethje hopes he humbled Paddy Pimblett in win
Justin Gaethje is impressed with Paddy Pimblett after UFC 324 but said his mental approach was all wrong.
Safford, Arizona, native Justin Gaethje surprised the fight favorite Paddy Pimblett in Las Vegas to become the first two-time interim champion on Jan. 24 in the main event of the UFC 324 card.
Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) dominated Pimblett (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) throughout, and the judges agreed.
Gaethje won the interim lightweight title by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) and could fight in a 155-pound unification bout with Ilia Topuria this year.
In an old-school brawl over five rounds, Gaethtje punished Pimblett, knocking him to the canvas several times.
The 37-year-old Gaethje, who took down Pimblett three times in Round 2, went to Safford High and Northern Colorado University.
The state of Arizona fared well in Las Vegas, with Phoenix fighter Sean O’Malley (19-3) taking down China’s Song Yadong in the co-main event by unanimous decision.
