Paddy Pimblett has backed himself to finish Justin Gaethje in the biggest fight of his career at UFC 324.
Gaethje, a legend of MMA, provides the opposition for ‘The Baddy’ at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas next weekend and victory is likely to give him a title opportunity.
The Liverpool fighter battered Michael Chandler in his last outing in April 2025 and even though he’s known for his elite ground game and submission skills, insists he will be staying on the feet against the 37-year-old American.
‘I’ll keep it on the feet with him,’ he told TNT Sport. ‘There’s the blueprint there to beat him, Max done it. Everyone underestimates my striking.
‘Everyone thinks I’m just going to going to come in and I’m going to take him down and I’m not. He had an absolute war with [Michael] Chandler and I pieced Chandler up.
‘So, I know MMA math doesn’t work, but you’ll see come January 24, when we have a perfect game plan and we finish him within three.’
Paddy Pimblett, pictured recently at the World Darts Championship, has a huge fight at UFC 324
Gaethje has been out of action for a similar amount of time to Pimblett, beating Rafael Fiziev last March.
The veteran is known for putting on incredibly entertaining fights and it seems Pimblett is also determined to put on a show by making it a stand-up battle.
Gaethje has claimed a $50k bonus (£37k) for Fight of the Night or Performance of the Night 12 times in his UFC career.
He is ranked No 4 in the lightweight division, one spot ahead of Pimblett and will fancy one last run at a title he’s never quite managed to bag despite numerous chances.
Pimblett says it will be hard for Gaethje to prepare for him, adding: ‘I don’t wrestle like a normal person.
‘I don’t shoot double legs and single legs and wrestle like a normal person does. I do everything differently. I’m not normal, so he’s not going to be able to get a sparring partner that grapples like me or strikes like me because I’m a weirdo.
‘I’m honest about it, I’m very awkward. You can’t really get a sparring partner in to do me because I’m so awkward, so I’m looking forward to fighting him as I say.
‘He’s a legend. He’s someone I’ve always loved watching, so to get the chance to actually get in the cage and fight with him is unbelievable. I can’t wait to have Justin Gaethje on my résumé.
Justin Gaethje (left) faces Pimblett (right) in the main event next Saturday in Las Vegas
Pimblett hammered Michael Chandler (left) last April and is undefeated in the UFC
‘It’s going to be something that will last forever, part of my legacy. I’m looking forward to it, I just hope he doesn’t retire once I beat him.’
Pimblett also feels as though he isn’t given credit for his wins, having stayed unbeaten since signing for the UFC in 2021.
‘It’s going to be the same,’ Pimblett said. ‘When I beat Chandler, everyone was like, “He’s old. He’s 2-5 in UFC.”
When I beat Justin, it’s going to be, “He’s old, he’s about to retire.” No matter who I beat. When I beat Ilia, it’ll be, “He was never that good.” So it doesn’t matter who I beat, the goalposts get moved.’
The dominant force of the division, Topuria, is currently taking time away from competing to deal with family matters amid the ongoing split from wife Giorgina, with whom he shares two young children.
Armand Tsarukyan is the No 1 contender at present and front of the queue for a title shot but an impressive win for Pimblett could see him jump ahead.
