Paddy Pimblett heads into the biggest fight of his career with confidence that he’ll get the job done inside of three rounds.
“The Baddy” takes on former interim champion Justin Gaethje in the UFC 324 main event on Jan. 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with the interim lightweight championship on the line.
Gaethje’s nickname isn’t “The Highlight” for no reason. He’s known for exciting back and forth fights with bonus winning finishes. He’s been in more than one “war” in his career. Pimblett hopes for a battle, but doesn’t envision the fight making it to the championship rounds.
“I’d love a war. I’ve always said this. In my 26-fight professional fighting career, my 35-fight career including my amateurs, I’ve never had a war and I’d love to have one,” Pimblett FOX Sports Australia. “I’d love to have a five-round barn burner, but I just can’t see that happening. I don’t see him getting past the second or third round.”
Looking at the stylistic matchup, Pimblett thinks a lot of people have it wrong. It’s not simply a clash between a striker and a grappler.
Related: Justin Gaethje plans to teach Paddy Pimblett a lesson at UFC 324
“Obviously, everyone knows I have an advantage in the grappling, but I think a lot of people think he’s got a big advantage in the striking, which he doesn’t. And I’m going to show everyone that,” Pimblett said. “He’s a boxer with leg kicks, and I’m an MMA striker. And I’ll show everyone the difference next week.”
“I’m definitely a much better grappler than him, and my wrestling is severely underestimated,” Pimblett continued. “My wrestling gets underestimated. People don’t think I can take people down. They think I’m just a jiu-jitsu fighter. I’m not a striker. I’m not a grappler. I’m an MMA fighter … If I want to take him down in this fight, I’ll take him down. If I want to stand with him, I’ll stand with him.”
