Paddy Pimblett plans on knocking Justin Gaethje | MMA News
An interim light-weight champion shall be topped on Jan. 24 in the UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett main event. Former interim titleholder Justin Gaethje faces No. 5 ranked Paddy Pimblett at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with both males trying to secure a title unification bout against champion Ilia Topuria.
Topuria announced last month that he was taking an prolonged break from preventing while he offers with going through a divorce.
“I won’t be fighting in the first quarter of next year. I’m going through a difficult moment in my personal life. I want to focus on my children and resolve this situation as soon as possible,” Topuria wrote on X on Nov. 27.
While the champion kinds through his personal troubles, Gaethje and Pimblett will battle for the interim title. Pimblett always knew he’d battle for the championship.
“I knew I’d end up fighting for the belt anyway, so to fight a legend like Gaethje for the interim belt it’s a – I’ve paid my dues to get this lad. So, I always knew I’d end up fighting for the title. I’ll win this interim belt and then I’ll beat Ilia up and take the proper belt, defend that, and then I’ll go up and f*cking win the welterweight belt,” Pimblett told Red Corner MMA.
Pimblett could not be happier with Gaethje as an opponent, but would not count on something but respect in the event’s buildup.
“I’m not expecting no bad blood, no bitterness or nothing like that,” he said. “I’m met him before. We’ve shook hands. We’ve spoke. He’s very cordial.
“I actually like Justin Gaethje. He’s your favourite fighter’s favourite fighter. Everyone likes watching Justin Gaethje battle. He’s never in a boring battle, and he is a good fella every time I’ve met him. I feel it will likely be just like the [Michael] Chandler buildup like the whole lot is lifeless good. But clearly, when that cage door shuts, lads, it is kill or be killed,” continued Pimblett.
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Looking at the matchup and the fight, Pimblett doesn’t envision it going to a decision. In fact, he doesn’t see Gaethje making it past the third round.
“I do know I’m going to come and win the belt, but clearly I need to have an entertaining battle. Don’t need to have a boring battle. I feel it is unattainable when Justin Gaethje is in the other nook. You cannot not have a good battle when you are preventing Justin Gaethje,” said Pimblett.
“I feel everyone’s going to be shocked to be sincere because I feel I’m going to knock him out. People will not count on that. People assume I’m just going to strive and grapple and take him down but I’m not. I’m going to come out and I’m going to put it on him,” he continued.
“I do not see him getting past the third just like Chandler.:”
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