“The Baddy” is okay.
U.K. star Paddy Pimblett suffered the first loss of his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) career last weekend (Sat., Jan. 24, 2026), dropping a five-round beatdown at the hands of Justin Gaethje for the interim Lightweight title in the main event of UFC 324 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (watch highlights).
While he spoke briefly with Joe Rogan inside the Octagon following the defeat, Pimblett largely went quiet in the days afterward — understandably so, as he was also transported to a local “Sin City” hospital for precautionary CT scans of his head and face.
Thankfully, all tests came back clean.
On Tuesday (Jan. 27, 2026), Pimblett broke his silence by releasing a statement on Instagram, thanking fans for their support and making it clear he has no excuses for the loss.
“Hope everyone enjoyed my fight just as much as I did, want to thank everyone that came to support and everyone watching at home ❤️. I’m all good no injuries went into the fight feeling amazing had a great camp and an easy weight cut.
No excuses the better man won on the night [Justin Gaethje] congratulations brother it was an honour to share the cage with such a legend go get that undisputed title ur career deserves it.
Hopefully we can run it back for the undisputed because I still know it’s in my destiny to win that gold! UFC thank you for the opportunity yous all know I’ll be back for that belt in the near future.”
Despite earning “Fight of the Night” honors, the loss snapped Pimblett’s nine-fight winning streak and dropped him to 7-1 inside the Octagon. It also marked his first experience going five hard rounds against elite Lightweight competition — and while the result didn’t go his way, he showed toughness and resolve on the biggest stage of his career.
Prior to running into Gaethje, “The Baddy” had built serious momentum with high-profile victories over Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, and King Green, cementing himself as one of the UFC’s fastest-rising stars.
While the setback halts his immediate title aspirations, it doesn’t derail them entirely. Pimblett proved he belongs near the top of the division, and a bounce-back opportunity later in 2026 — potentially on an overseas card or during International Fight Week — feels inevitable as he begins the climb back toward undisputed gold.
