UFC 324: Justin Gaethje Vs. Paddy Pimblett Headline First.

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will be the faces of the UFC on Saturday when the premier organization in mixed-martial arts stages its first card on Paramount+.


It helps the UFC that both are fan favorites, but based strictly on rankings, it's questionable whether they need to headline such a crucial event, much less contend for the interim lightweight title.


But a number of factors led to fourth-ranked challenger Gaethje (26-5) dealing with No. 5 Pimblett (23-3) at UFC 324. Reigning champion Ilia Topuria has taken a leave of lack for personal reasons, top-ranked challenger Arman Tsarukyan is recovering from a back injury and No. 2 Charles Oliveira and No. 3 Max Holloway are scheduled to combat each other at UFC 326 on March 7.


That doesn't suggest, nevertheless, that Gaethje and Pimblett aren't an interesting match. This could be the last bout for the 37-year-old Gaethje, who fights out of Denver.


"It ´ s been a hell of a trip," Gaethje stated. "I ´ m blessed to be offered such substantial opportunities by the business. This is a substantial chance to be the centerpiece red (higher-ranked) corner of the first Paramount card. I understand they trust me. They know I ´ m the most constant guy, the most interesting guy, which ´ s most likely why I ´ m here.


"He gets in familiar area as the underdog. Pimblett, 31, is a -235 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook, and Gaethje said this is the 11th time in 14 such bouts the have been versus him and it frequently hasn't exercised in his challenger's favor.


FILE - Justin Gaethje, left, commemorates after defeating Rafael Fiziev in a UFC 313 blended martial arts lightweight bout, March 8, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)


It's that championship-level experience, the previous light-weight champ stated, that need to give him an advantage over Pimblett. The fighter out of Liverpool, England, is competing in his very first title bout.


"It ´ s going to be great to have another legend ´ s name on me resume, "Pimblett said. "It ´ s an honor to share the octagon with him. He ´ s somebody I ´ ve been viewing for years and years. He ´ s had some of the very best fights I ´ ve ever watched in the UFC. That ´ s what we ´ re in this video game for, individuals you enjoy. You wish to eventually battle them and beat them."


He has actually been awaiting this moment given that walking into a gym at 15 and stating he would one day be a champ. Pimblett said he got booted from the gym that day, however that didn't hinder him.


Though he stated training during the holiday "ruined my Christmas" and he would never ever set up another January fight, the wait and the work have actually deserved it.


"It's an honor to be the centerpiece of the very first Paramount card," Pimblett said. "It demonstrates how much the UFC believes me and Justin to put on an excellent fight, and it's world title battle. It would be crazy after 16 years for this to happen, and it's finally here."


Both fighters took customary oral chance ats each other, however there does not appear to be any particular animosity between them.


"I believe he's actually excellent," Gaethje stated. "I believe this sport is crazy. I think anything can take place anytime."


In the co-main event, third-ranked opposition Sean O'Malley (18-3) of Phoenix deals with No. 5 Song Yadong (22-8-1) of China in a bantamweight fight.


The UFC had put its numbered cards on pay-per-view, but the organization signed a seven-year deal with Paramount in August that now airs those and other occasions on the subscription-based streaming service. CBS will simulcast some occasions.


AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports


FILE - Michael Chandler, left, and Paddy Pimblett battle throughout a combined martial arts fight at UFC 314, April 13, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)