who won pimblett vs gaethje

Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision to claim the interim UFC lightweight title at UFC 324, held on January 24-25, 2026, in Las Vegas.

Fight Outcome

This five-round war saw Gaethje, known as "The Highlight," outlast the relentless Pimblett in a bloody, back-and-forth battle that lived up to the hype. Judges scored it 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 in Gaethje's favor, snapping Pimblett's nine-fight UFC win streak and updating his record to 23-4. Gaethje improved to 27-5, earning his second interim lightweight belt amid chants from the T-Mobile Arena crowd.

Round-by-Round Highlights

• Round 1 : Pimblett struck early, but Gaethje dropped him with a left hook and dominated on the ground.

• Round 2 : Gaethje floored Pimblett again with a right hand, unleashing ground-and-pound until the bell; an eye poke briefly paused the action.

• Round 3 : Pimblett rallied with jabs and leg kicks, staggering Gaethje before a low blow halt.

• Rounds 4-5 : Gaethje regained control with heavy rights, though Pimblett pushed late in a thrilling championship exchange.

Both fighters showed immense heart—Pimblett bled heavily but never quit, earning Gaethje's post-fight respect: "That Scouser does not get knocked down... Young kid, dangerous kid."

Post-Fight Reactions

"I wanted that belt but there's no other I'd rather lose to than 'The Highlight.' Gaethje is someone I loved watching... shows why he's a legend." – Paddy Pimblett

Gaethje praised Pimblett's timing and confidence, setting up a potential unification bout with champion Ilia Topuria, who's due back later in 2026 after a personal hiatus. Forums buzzed pre-fight with hot takes like "Pimblett beats Gaethje," but the result silenced many doubters.

Why It Mattered

UFC 324 marked the promotion's Paramount+ era debut under a $7.7 billion deal, delivering one of 2026's early fights of the year. Gaethje's win cements his legacy at 37, while Pimblett's grit boosts his star power despite the L.

TL;DR : Gaethje batters Pimblett in epic UD to snag interim gold—pure violence, mutual respect.

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