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 organization in mixed-martial arts stages its very first card on Paramount+.
It helps the UFC that both are fan favorites, but based strictly on rankings, it's questionable whether they need to heading such an important event, much less compete for the interim lightweight title.
But a number of elements caused fourth-ranked challenger Gaethje (26-5) dealing with No. 5 Pimblett (23-3) at UFC 324. Reigning champ Ilia Topuria has taken a leave of absence for individual factors, top-ranked challenger Arman Tsarukyan is recuperating from a back injury and No. 2 Charles Oliveira and No. 3 Max Holloway are arranged to fight each other at UFC 326 on March 7.
That doesn't indicate, however, that Gaethje and Pimblett aren't an intriguing matchup. This could be the last bout for the 37-year-old Gaethje, who combats out of Denver.
"It ´ s been a hell of a ride," Gaethje stated. "I ´ m blessed to be given such big chances by the company. This is a big chance to be the centerpiece red (higher-ranked) corner of the very first Paramount card. I know they trust me. They know I ´ m the most constant guy, the most amazing guy, which ´ s probably why I ´ m here.
"He enters familiar territory as the underdog. Pimblett, 31, is a -235 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook, and Gaethje said this is the 11th time in 14 such bouts the odds have protested him and it typically hasn't worked out in his opponent's favor.
FILE - Justin Gaethje, left, commemorates after beating Rafael Fiziev in a UFC 313 blended martial arts light-weight bout, March 8, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
It's that championship-level experience, the former lightweight champ said, that should give him an advantage 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 someone I ´ ve been expecting years and years. He ´ s had some of the very best battles I ´ ve ever seen in the UFC. That ´ s what we ´ re in this video game for, the people you see. You wish to eventually combat them and beat them."
He has actually been awaiting this moment because walking into a gym at 15 and stating he would one day be a champion. Pimblett said he got booted from the health club that day, but that didn't discourage him.
Though he said training during the holiday "destroyed my Christmas" and he would never arrange another January fight, the wait and the work have deserved it.
"It's an honor to be the main occasion of the first Paramount card," Pimblett stated. "It demonstrates how much the UFC believes me and Justin to place on a great fight, and it's world title battle. It would be outrageous after 16 years for this to take place, and it's lastly here."
Both fighters took traditional oral each other, but there doesn't seem to be any specific animosity in between them.
"I believe he's truly great," Gaethje said. "I think this sport is insane. I think anything can happen anytime."
In the co-main occasion, third-ranked challenger Sean O'Malley (18-3) of Phoenix faces No. 5 Song Yadong (22-8-1) of China in a bantamweight fight.
The UFC had put its numbered cards on pay-per-view, however the company signed a seven-year offer with Paramount in August that now airs those and other occasions on the subscription-based streaming service. CBS will simulcast some occasions.
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FILE - Michael Chandler, left, and Paddy Pimblett battle throughout a blended martial arts fight at UFC 314, April 13, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)