Paddy Pimblett believes Justin Gaethje is a little bit rattled heading into this weekend.
On Saturday night, Pimblett and Gaethje face off in the main event of UFC 324, with an interim lightweight title on the line. It’s the first UFC event of 2026, and while the build-up has largely been respectful, over Fight Week, the tension has ratcheted up between the two, and Pimblett believes it’s getting to Gaethje.
After the UFC 324 Ceremonial Weigh-ins on Friday, Pimblett and Gaethje stared off for the final time ahead of their fight, with the two exchanging words, though things never got confrontational — in fact, Pimblett hugged Gaethje before they separated. But afterward, Pimblett stopped by the UFC analyst desk to give his final thoughts before the big event, and “The Baddy” believes that the pressure has gotten to Gaethje ahead of their fight.
“I think he’s a little bit jittery,” Pimblett said. “He’s used to all the crowd being behind him and being the man of the hour. Everyone wants to come and watch Justin Gaethje, but it’s not like that this weekend.
“I noticed it yesterday a bit. When we were getting asked questions and stuff, he was a little bit looking around, especially when Sean O’Malley was talking with Song Yadong, and everyone was shouting ‘U-S-A,’ he was looking around like, ‘Why aren’t they doing that for me?’
“It’s funny, I’m a little bit under the skin. I said to him, ‘Come on, take the flip-flops off.’ He was like, ‘You was on your tiptoes yesterday.’ I wasn’t, and I just said to him, ‘How did the weight cut go?’ ‘Great, don’t worry about me.’ It didn’t look like it went great, mate.”
Gaethje was the last person to weigh in for Saturday’s card, though he did successfully come in at the 155-pound limit for their title fight. That being said, Gaethje has seemed a bit chippier this fight week, a stark contrast with Pimblett, who has never seemed happier heading into an event, which he says is true.
“I’ve never been so excited for a fight,” Pimblett said. “This is unbelievable. This is what I’ve been working for me whole career. I’ve been training 16 years for this. I’m not just going to let the moment pass me by. I’m going to enjoy every last second of it. And I can see that Justin Gaethje isn’t enjoying every second of this.
“If I was him, I’d live it to the fullest, because you said if you lose you’re going to retire, so you’re going to retire.”
UFC 324 takes place on Jan. 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Subscribe to my channel
