Paddy Pimblett Reflects on UFC 324 Loss to Justin Gaethje

Paddy Pimblett faced Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 324 on January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bout was for the interim UFC lightweight championship, and Pimblett aimed to secure his first title in the promotion. However, he lost the fight by unanimous decision, with judges scoring it 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of Gaethje. The match was characterized by significant striking exchanges, with Pimblett absorbing considerable damage, leading to visible facial injuries.

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Following the fight, Pimblett humorously addressed the state of his face, which had swollen significantly due to eye pokes during the match. He noted, “The only thing that’s wrong with me is my eyeballs from fingernails scratching my eyeballs,” emphasizing that he was otherwise in good health and planned to return to training shortly. Despite the physical toll, he expressed optimism about making a comeback by summer 2026.

Paddy Pimblett reflects on brutal Justin Gaethje loss: ‘He made my face look different’

Pimblett acknowledged the importance of learning from his first UFC loss, stating, “In our sport, you can’t win every fight. You don’t lose, you learn.” He admitted to feeling frustrated with his performance and indicated that he had not yet rewatched the fight. He expressed a desire for a rematch with Gaethje, saying, “I hope he wins the undisputed title off Ilia [Topuria] and hopefully we can run it back.” However, he recognized that Gaethje is in the later stages of his career, which may limit future opportunities for a rematch.

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While Pimblett is eager for a rematch with Gaethje, he is also considering other options for his next fight. Dan Hooker has been mentioned as a potential opponent, especially after Hooker’s recent loss to Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 325. Pimblett remarked on Hooker’s defeat, suggesting that it could lead to a matchup between them in the future. He stated, “He probably enjoyed me losing last week… but if he’s next for me, he’s getting finished.”

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Pimblett congratulated Gaethje on his victory, saying, “Hats off to him. I did say before the fight I want the best version of Justin Gaethje and that Justin Gaethje turned up.” He expressed hope that Gaethje would succeed in his upcoming title unification bout against Topuria.

Paddy Pimblett reflects on brutal Justin Gaethje loss: ‘He made my face look different’

Despite his positive outlook, Pimblett's performance has drawn mixed reactions from fans and analysts. Some critics argue that his striking defense needs improvement, while others commend his resilience and ability to engage in a high-paced fight against a seasoned opponent like Gaethje.

Can Paddy Pimblett Get Another Shot at Justin Gaethje After UFC 324 Defeat?

• “The only thing that’s up with me is probably got a scratched cornea or something like that.” — Paddy Pimblett

Paddy Pimblett pokes fun at his face after UFC 324 loss to Justin Gaethje

• “In our sport, you can’t win every fight.” — Paddy Pimblett

Paddy Pimblett reflects on brutal Justin Gaethje loss: ‘He made my face look different’

• “I hope he wins the undisputed title off Ilia and hopefully we can run it back, even though I don’t think he’s got too many fights left,” — Paddy Pimblett

Can Paddy Pimblett Get Another Shot at Justin Gaethje After UFC 324 Defeat?

Pimblett's journey following this defeat will be closely watched as he aims to rebound and reestablish himself as a contender in the lightweight division.

Paddy Pimblett pokes fun at his face after UFC 324 loss to Justin Gaethje