Justin Gaethje defeated Pimblett after crazy fight at UFC 324

Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett after a wild fight at UFC 324, with the American becoming the interim UFC lightweight division champion.

Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett faced off in the fight of the evening at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. The duel was contracted for five rounds, and the prize for the winner was the UFC interim championship belt in the lightweight division. Justin Gaethje was already the holder of this belt in the past.

Justin Gaethje had definitely more experience, however, before this bout, fans were asking themselves whether the American would be in top form, or whether age had reached him. Paddy Pimblett, on the other hand, was to undergo a real vetting for the first time against a top fighter in the up to 70 kilogram category.

Paddy Pimblett started with low kicks. The Englishman added a strong extensive right, which reached the American’s head. Baddy hits with more punches however Gaethje imposes pressure and repays with accurate punches. Paddy hits, however, Justin Gaethje rocks and hits more hard punches closing the Englishman on the net. A cannonade of punches by Justin, after which Pimblett goes limp in the turtle. Justin allows him to get up and after a while he hits again putting his opponent on the mat. Baddy bites back, however, and Gaethje takes two hard punches. The pace is high and both fighters look tired from the frantic pace. A moment’s pause after Gaethje sticks his fingers in his rival’s eye. After resumption good kicks performed by the Englishman. Justin Gaethje responds with a series of punches. A battle at the end of the round.

Paddy hits low kicks which forces Gaethje to go on the offensive. Justin hits and drags Pimblett to the first floor. However, we quickly return to the standup where Paddy rocks. Great exchange of punches in which both fighters hit. A good elbow by Baddy, to which Justin responded with accurate punches under the net. The American often manages to close the Englishman on the net. A strong right and two left straight from the American. Once again extremely easily Gaethje drags his opponent to the ground. Gaethje allows his rival to get up however he hits a knee. Paddy after getting up responds with a knee. Great action by Gaethje in the end, after which Pimblett lands on the boards and the American was extremely close to finishing. Justin chopped the Englishman hard.

Justin Gaethje hits hard twice early in the third period. Pimblett responds with a straight. Good offensive action by the American. Exchange of low kicks. Justin Gaethje again imposes pressure looking to close the Englishman on the net. Pimblett hits a high kick. Gaethje responds with a strong right. Very strong punch-for-punch meeting action. Pimblett, however, does not stop and hits with straights. Pimblett unexpectedly hits with a series of punches, both fists and kicks. Gaethje responds with a strong right, to which he adds a solid left a moment later.

Justin Gaethje hits with powerful punches that shock Pimblett and force him to escape to the first floor. Nothing comes of it, however, as the American cleverly defends himself once again and adds punches to the body on the first floor. After returning to the stand-up, another good boxing action performed by Highlight. Gaethje hits again and again, and the Englishman escapes under the net. A clinch in which very strong uppercuts are brought out by Gaethje. Pimblett tries to counter but Gaethje brilliantly avoids his rival’s action. Great kickboxing action by Pimblett however the indomitable Gaethje responds with punches and has the Englishman on the mat hitting ground and pound again and again.

An exchange of long straights, both fighters hit, shorten the distance and get into an exchange of punches. Gaethje hits however Pimblett manages to escape from under the net. After two minutes of the fifth round, Pimblett goes to the ground but Gaethje excels. A tedious, exhausting clinch. However, the American managed to break the grip and delivered two hard punches. The Englishman tried a spinning elbow but instead took two powerful punches from the American. Pimblett launched a frenzied action and hit Gaethje in the head. Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision of the judges.