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 phases its very first card on Paramount+.
It helps the UFC that both are fan favorites, however based strictly on rankings, it's doubtful whether they must headline such an essential occasion, much less compete for the interim light-weight title.
But a number of aspects led to fourth-ranked challenger Gaethje (26-5) facing No. 5 Pimblett (23-3) at UFC 324. Reigning champion Ilia Topuria has taken a leave of lack for personal reasons, top-ranked challenger Arman Tsarukyan is recovering from a back injury and No. 2 Charles Oliveira and No. 3 Max Holloway are set up to combat each other at UFC 326 on March 7.
That doesn't mean, nevertheless, that Gaethje and Pimblett aren't an appealing match. This might be the final bout for the 37-year-old Gaethje, who fights out of Denver.
"It ´ s been a hell of a ride," Gaethje said. "I ´ m blessed to be offered such huge chances by the business. This is a huge opportunity to be the primary occasion red (higher-ranked) corner of the first Paramount card. I understand they trust me. They know I ´ m the most consistent guy, the most exciting guy, and that ´ s most likely why I ´ m here.
"He gets in familiar territory as the underdog. Pimblett, 31, is a -235 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook, and Gaethje stated this is the 11th time in 14 such bouts the odds have been against him and it frequently hasn't worked out in his challenger's favor.
FILE - Justin Gaethje, left, celebrates after beating Rafael Fiziev in a UFC 313 combined martial arts lightweight bout, March 8, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
It's that championship-level experience, the former lightweight champ stated, that ought to offer him an advantage over Pimblett. The fighter out of Liverpool, England, is competing in his very first title bout.
"It ´ s going to be good to have another legend ´ s name on me resume, "Pimblett said. "It ´ s an honor to share the octagon with him. He ´ s somebody I ´ ve been looking for years and years. He ´ s had some of the best fights I ´ ve ever seen in the UFC. That ´ s what we ´ re in this game for, the individuals you enjoy. You wish to ultimately combat them and beat them."
He has actually been waiting on this moment given that strolling into a at 15 and saying he would one day be a champ. Pimblett said he got booted from the gym that day, however that didn't deter him.
Though he stated training throughout the holiday "destroyed my Christmas" and he would never ever arrange another January fight, the wait and the work have actually been worth it.
"It's an honor to be the centerpiece of the very first Paramount card," Pimblett said. "It demonstrates how much the UFC trusts me and Justin to place on a good fight, and it's world title battle. It would be crazy after 16 years for this to take place, and it's lastly here."
Both fighters took customary oral shots at each other, but there does not appear to be any specific animosity between them.
"I think he's truly great," Gaethje stated. "I think this sport is crazy. I think anything can happen 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 battle.
The UFC had put its numbered cards on pay-per-view, but the organization signed a seven-year deal with 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 fight at UFC 314, April 13, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)