Justin Gaethje showed some displeasure over the recognition he received for his win at Madison Square Garden. Known as “The Highlight,” Gaethje frequently lives up to his nickname in the UFC Octagon, having earned 14 post-fight bonuses in as many bouts under the UFC banner. When Gaethje faces Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 this Saturday, fans can anticipate another explosive showdown.
The Arizona fighter aims to make “The Buddy” his newest conquest during the UFC’s debut on Paramount. Should he succeed, fans will expect even more thrilling performances on his path to victory in Las Vegas. Gaethje’s career is packed with unforgettable battles, but few match the intensity of his fierce matchup in New York City four years ago. Still, Gaethje himself questions if that fight was truly his best.
Justin Gaethje Was Not Satisfied With His Fight Against Michael Chandler
Thirteen months after his title loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Gaethje returned with a spectacular performance. He faced Michael Chandler on the undercard of Kamaru Usman’s second win over Colby Covington in what many regard as one of the best fights of 2021 and UFC history. At UFC 268, Gaethje won a hard-fought decision over Chandler after three brutal rounds.
Despite widespread praise from fans and peers, Gaethje had a surprisingly critical view of the fight. In an interview with TNT Sports, he admitted, “Honestly, when I was in the game, I thought it was a little boring.” He explained that it was the first time he cared more about winning than scoring a knockout and expressed a desire to return to his aggressive, finish-oriented style. “I want to go back to just wanting to hurt someone and be done with it,” he said.
Paddy Pimblett is Eager for His First Bout With Justin Gaethje at UFC 324
Gaethje is recognized for his savage battles inside the cage, and Paddy Pimblett is looking forward to experiencing that firsthand at UFC 324. However, Pimblett doesn’t expect the fight to last all five rounds, believing he will finish “The Highlight” early.
“I’d love to get in a fight with him. I’ve had 35 fights, including amateur ones, but I’ve never really been in a war, so it would be nice to finally have that opportunity,” Pimblett told MMA Junkie. He confidently added, “I don’t think it’ll go that far. I think we’ll finish him off. Once he’s down, he won’t get back up.” Pimblett also acknowledged Gaethje’s strong wrestling and scrambling skills but insisted that his own grappling often gets underestimated.
Fan Take: This matchup matters because it pits two dynamic and aggressive lightweights against each other, promising high-stakes action that fighting fans crave. A win for either fighter could shift the landscape of the lightweight division and set the tone for the UFC’s evolving future on Paramount.
