The interim lightweight title was on the line in the UFC 324 main event on Saturday. Former interim champion Justin Gaethje faced No. 5 ranked Paddy Pimblett in the featured fight of the first UFC event of 2026.
Pimblett entered the bout ranked No. 5 in the division and riding an impressive nine-fight winning streak. Gaethje made the walk to the octagon coming off a decision win over Rafael Fiziev in a rematch.
It was likely Gaethje’s final chance to secure an opportunity at a unified UFC championship. For Pimblett, it would be the biggest win of his career. Both men were eyeing a unification bout against champion Ilia Topuria with victory.
Gaethje pressed forward to start the fight. Pimblett connected with a leg kick. He stepped in the pocket with a right hand. Gaethje landed his jab. Pimblett landed a combination and Gaethje countered with a right hand. Pimblett unloaded a combination. Gaethje absorbed it. He landed an upper cut that sat Pimblett down. He let Pimblett up. Pimblett landed an uppercut. Pimblett landed a leg kick followed with a left hand. Gaethje closed the distance and clinched. They separated and Gaethje connected with a combination. Pimblett continued to land leg kicks. Pimblett was accidentally poked in the eye. He was given time to recover.
When action resumed, Pimblett went high with a kick. Gaethje closed the distance with a combination. Pimblett fired back and clinched. They separated. Pimblett continued to target Gaethje’s legs with kicks. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Gaethje with the knockdown.
They exchanged left hands early. Pimblett continued to deliver leg kicks. Gaethje landed a counter. Gaethje’s jab found a home. Gaethje pressured Pimblett. They clinched and Pimblett delivered a knee to the body. Gaethje stepped forward with a jab. Gaethje continued to pressure Pimblett. Pimblett looked for a takedown. As they stood, Gaethje landed a knee that knocked Pimblett down. He immediate got back to his feet. Pimblett was knocked down again. Gaethje stood and dove back in with a huge right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Gaethje.
Gaethje pressured Pimblett to start the third. Pimblett responded with a jab. He connected with his jab again. Pimblett landed a combination. Pimblett went back to utilizing leg kicks. Pimblett’s jab continued to land. He delivered a front kick to the body. Gaethje responded with a hard leg kick. Pimblett connected with a straight left followed by a combination. Gaethje got clipped with a knee to the groin and was given time to recover.
When the fight resumed, Pimblett delivered a leg kick. Pimblett kicked up the pace. Pimblett began pressing Gaethje. A stiff jab landed for Pimblett. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Pimblett.
Gaetjhje opened the fourth frame with a jab to the body. Pimblett responded with one of his own. Pimblett delivered a kick to the body Gaethje began pressuring. He landed a right hand. Pimblett looked for a takedown. Gaethje fended it off and Pimblett stood. A right hand knocked Pimblett down. He immediately got back to his feet. Another right by Gaethje landed. Gaethje landed a left that hurt Pimblett. Gaethje pressed forward with a combination. Pimblett responded with a right hand. They separated and exchanged jabs. Pimblett moved forward with a combination. Pimblett delivered a kick to the body followed by a combination. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Gaethje.
They hugged before the final fame. They exchanged early with both men landing. Gaethje connected with a right on the inside. Pimblett went to the body with a kick. He looked or a takedown. Gaethje defended it but Pimblett kept the pressure on. They separated. Gaethje landed two right hands. ‘Gaethje landed two more right hands. Pimblett unloaded a combination. Gaethje clinched but the quickly separated. Gaethje tied Pimblett up but they separated again. Pimblett unloaded but too little too late. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Pimblett.
The judges scored the fight for Gaethje via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46.
