The first UFC event of 2026, and the first UFC event of the $7.7 billion Paramount deal takes place on Jan. 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight card is headlined by an interim lightweight title bout between former interim titleholder Justin Gaethje and No. 5 ranked Paddy Pimblett.
Deep in the training camp for the fight, Gaethje’s coach, Trevor Wittman, is happy with what he’s seeing from his fighter.
“Man, I feel really good at where we’re at right now and I’m so happy and proud of the team. It’s a cool thing to be a coach and coach someone for so long and not allow anything that happens to be a distraction. Justin is so dialed in right now. He is just on point,” Wittman said on Gaethje’s YouTube channel. “His mindset is so good right now.”
At 37, and having held the interim title and fought for the undisputed championship twice, this is likely Gaethje’s last opportunity to capture undisputed UFC gold.
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“It’s very exciting at this point of career. Like, Justin is not at the beginning of his career no more, so we have to go out there with the right mentality to go out there and take that belt, or get that belt,” Wittman said.
“It’s very exciting because we’re going against an up-and-comer. There’s a lot of praise about Paddy right now. And I’m a fan of Paddy’s. I think Paddy’s got a very unique fighting style, and I’m very inspired by his spirit. He’s got one of those just hardcore spirits,” continued Wittman.
“He’s one of those guys that a lot of people have talked down for so long, but look at him. He’s been consistent. He’s doing something right. And I respect him, so we are not taking this lightly.
“I love where Justin’s mind is right now. He is pushing so hard. He’s just dialed in, and I’m very, very excited to see him perform against Paddy the Baddy.”
