Gaethje vs Pimblett Prediction 25 January 2026
🔥 Las Vegas, USA, will host the first numbered event of the year - UFC 324. In the main fight of the night, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will clash for the interim lightweight championship. They will compete for the belt because the reigning 70 kg champion, Ilia Topuria, took a break from his career at the end of last year due to personal issues. How will this battle conclude? Read our prediction below.
Head-to-head statistics Gaethje - Pimblett
Justin Gaethje Player Overview
The 37-year-old American veteran is rightly regarded as one of the most thrilling fighters in mixed martial arts history. A former dominant WSOF champion, he made his move to the UFC in 2017, quickly earning the nickname "The Highlight" by turning each octagon appearance into a bloody spectacle. In 2020, Justin held the interim title but couldn't unify the belts, losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov. After a spectacular victory over Rafael Fiziev in March last year, Gaethje took a gamble by issuing an ultimatum to retire if he didn't get a title shot. The strategy paid off, and now he's once again fighting for the belt at UFC 324.
Match Results: Justin Gaethje
Paddy Pimblett Player Overview
The 31-year-old former Cage Warriors champion from Liverpool has become a true star in the modern MMA scene after signing with the UFC in 2021. During this time, the Brit has fought seven bouts, maintaining an unblemished record within the organization, though his victory over Jared Gordon remains a hotly debated topic among fans. However, any doubts were dispelled in April 2025 when he decisively stopped Michael Chandler in the third round. This triumph firmly paved Paddy's way into the lightweight elite and led to the biggest fight of his career.
Match Results: Paddy Pimblett
Latest news
Justin Gaethje
Justin Gaethje on the upcoming fight:
“Pimblett is incredibly dangerous. He puts everything into each punch. But when Paddy strikes, he leaves himself wide open. That's where my experience and technical skills need to come into play-I have to capitalize on that mistake. At the level we're competing, there's no room for errors.”
Paddy Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett on the upcoming fight:
"All Justin has is an overhand right. It's like fighting Michael Chandler all over again - that's how I see it. He has just one way to catch me, while I have 50 different ways to finish him. We all know how this is going to end."
⭐ Editorial Prediction
Bookmakers have Paddy pegged as the favorite for this bout, but that seems like an odd choice… Gaethje's level of opposition has been significantly higher, as he has competed against the world's top lightweights for years (with bouts against Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson, and Khabib Nurmagomedov under his belt). Meanwhile, Paddy has faced "washed-up" fighters or those outside the top-15 echelon. We believe Gaethje's strong takedown defense and powerful low kicks will allow him to dictate the stand-up game and thwart the Brit's grappling attempts. This should lead to Justin outstriking the Brit and securing a victory, either by stoppage or decision.No comments
Other predictions
