A first UFC world title could be on its way to Merseyside in early 2026 after Dana White confirmed this week that Liverpool’s Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett will face Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in an interim lightweight title bout in Las Vegas.
The announcement follows news that the undisputed champion Ilia Topuria will not compete ‘until the second quarter of 2026’, leaving fans contemplating the direction of fights to keep the division active.
In the meantime, a third title fight for Justin Gaethje in his career, sees a classic striker against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu matchup under the T-Mobile Arena lights.
Questions continue to surround Pimblett’s resume, with critics highlighting his opponents to be past their prime.
His last three opponents have a combined losing streak of zero wins and 13 losses, fuelling claims that the Scouser has had favourable matchups on his path to UFC gold.
However, an astonishing performance last April at UFC 314 saw Pimblett defeat Michael Chandler by technical knockout in the third round.
UFC RISE
Dating back to his TKO debut in September 2021 at Vegas 36 when he defeated Luigi Vendramini, Pimblett has an unbeaten UFC record of 7-0 with the Next Generation Gym fighter acquiring fifth in the world rankings.
In that time, he has produced three submissions, two finishes and two decisions, reflecting his versatile ability to win fights in different ways.
However, his complete MMA record including his time at the Cage Warriors, reflects his BJJ background with nearly half of his fights being determined via way of submission.
With –213 odds for Pimblett going into this matchup, MMA experts are tipping the 155lb fighter to add an 11th submission win against Gaethje, who has already shown his vulnerability when the fight gets taken to the ground, against previous opponents.
JUSTIN GAETHJE
The former interim lightweight champion is known for his punch power and his striking highlights, with memorable wins against Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson and Edzon Barboza.
But a fight against Pimblett poses a familiar challenge in title settings, for the American.
His last two title fights came against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira and both fighters are BJJ practitioners, who were all able to profit to earn submission victories against Gaethje.
In relation to the stats, Justin marginally favours Paddy with a strike accuracy of 58% compared to 53% of Pimblett.
However, two facets to Pimblett’s skillset outline his dominance when the fight gets taken to the floor. His submission average is 1.7, with Gaethje not scoring a single submission win in his UFC career.
To counteract Pimblett’s takedown average of 96%, the Arizona fighter has an outstanding takedown defence of 68%.
This means Pimblett will have to be creative to secure Gaethje where he wants him.
However, if the fight proceeds on the feet, this will stylistically suit Gaethje.
Pimblett has a 7cm reach advantage which could present an opening to utilise low and high leg kicks to keep the distance and do damage to the body-a key tactic used to dispatch of Michael Chandler, back in April.
ILIA TOPURIA
Given the heated rivalry between Pimblett and Topuria, a clash seems inevitable. But if the Scouser secures the interim title beforehand, it would be a massive statement in their brewing storyline.
Despite some feeling that Pimblett would become a fourth straight victim to a brutal knockout from Topuria, the stats are even.
The most notable disparities between the sets of data are in the submission and takedown averages with Pimblett establishing his clearest chance of victory through his submission presence.
Topuria, however counters this with a formidable grappling background courtesy of his Greco-wrestling roots, which reinforces his takedown prowess.
On the feet though, Pimblett still has openings. Despite a boxing-heavy style that means Topuria weighs heavy on his lead leg, Pimblett would have to chip away with kicks to apply damage and compromise the capacity to generate large amounts of power from his lower body.
To compound that, Pimblett would have to seek encouragement from the fact Topuria was dropped via a head kick back in 2023 vs Jai Herbert at featherweight.
This suggests a viable path to victory if Pimblett is to leverage his size and weight behind similar strikes, that would secure the undisputed strap and settle the feud once, and for all.
