Justin Gaethje became a two-time interim UFC titleholder last night (Sat., Jan. 24, 2026) at UFC 324 LIVE on Paramount+ from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, handing previously undefeated lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett is first career loss.
Gaethje was out for blood the second this fight started. His aggressiveness and pressure had Pimblett on his back foot almost the entire time. Pimblett did some solid work with upper cuts inside and knees in the clinch, but the biggest shots were
landed by “Highlight.” It was a classic Gaethje showing over the first 10 minutes of action.
Pimblett settled down in the third round and was able to command the center of the Octagon to keep his back off the cage. This made it harder for Gaethje to find his shots and allowed Pimblett to find success from range, landing jabs, leg kicks, and overhand rights. Gaethje appeared to be tiring just a bit as Pimblett regained considerable momentum.
However, Gaethje returned the favor early in the fourth round by hurting Pimblett and scoring a nice knockdown. Pimblett wouldn’t stay down, though, as he kept plodding forward and trying to match Gaethje every step of the way. Pimblett needed a finish entering the fifth frame and went for broke. He stuck Gaethje a few good times before shooting in for a takedown along the cage. Gaethje fired back, though, defending any wrestling and bloodying up “Baddy” along the way.
In the end, it was Gaethje who did more than enough damage over five rounds to walk away with the unanimous decision nod and interim UFC lightweight title.
Check out the video highlights below:
For complete UFC 324 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
