By Alison Rosen | January 25, 2026
UFC 324 Results: Justin Gaethje reclaimed the interim lightweight championship Saturday night, defeating Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision in a thrilling five-round war at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. All three judges scored the fight 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 in favor of the American veteran.
Gaethje’s victory ends Pimblett’s seven-fight UFC winning streak and positions the former interim champion for a unification bout against reigning champion Ilia Topuria.
How the Fight Unfolded
The two lightweights came out aggressively from the opening bell, with Gaethje pressing forward and Pimblett looking to land precise strikes and leg kicks. Both men traded combinations early, setting the tone for a back-and-forth battle.
The first round featured an accidental eye poke on Pimblett, which required the ring doctor to examine him. After being cleared to continue, Pimblett showed his toughness and kept pace with Gaethje through the round. A body shot from Gaethje in the first visibly affected Pimblett but the Englishman recovered.
Round two turned decisively in Gaethje’s favor when he landed a powerful uppercut that dropped Pimblett to the canvas in the final seconds. Pimblett survived the knockdown and made it out of the round, but Gaethje had established momentum.
Pimblett came out aggressive in the third round, looking to take the fight to Gaethje while bloodied and bruised. He targeted Gaethje’s legs with kicks and looked for takedown opportunities, but a low blow from Gaethje disrupted his rhythm.
In the fourth, Pimblett was on the back foot for much of the round as Gaethje continued his relentless pressure. The Englishman mounted a late flurry to stay in the fight, but Gaethje controlled the action.
The final round saw both men trading exchanges with Gaethje’s striking proving more effective. Pimblett desperately looked for takedowns late, but couldn’t close the distance convincingly enough. The fight ended with both men embracing in a show of mutual respect.
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What Judges Scored
The judges’ scorecards reflected Gaethje’s dominance, particularly in the later rounds:
| Judge | Scorecard |
|---|---|
| Judge 1 | 48-47 Gaethje |
| Judge 2 | 49-46 Gaethje |
| Judge 3 | 49-46 Gaethje |
Pimblett later acknowledged that the 48-47 scorecard was fair, showing respect for Gaethje’s performance.
Post-Fight Statements
After his victory, Gaethje praised his opponent, saying “Paddy is right – Scousers do not get knocked out! I knew I had to put him on his back foot. He is very dangerous and has great timing.”
Pimblett, despite the loss, remained composed and vowed to return. “You live and you learn; I’m 31, I will be back better,” he said. When asked about the loss, Pimblett showed admiration for his conqueror: “There is no man I’d rather lose to than Gaethje. He is someone I loved watching growing up and it shows why he is a legend.”
What’s Next for Gaethje
With the interim title back around his waist, Gaethje is positioned to face reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria in a unification bout. This is a significant opportunity for Gaethje, who at 36 years old is likely in the final years of his elite fighting career. A win over Topuria would solidify his legacy as one of the greatest lightweights in UFC history.
What’s Next for Pimblett
Pimblett’s first UFC loss comes after an impressive nine-fight winning streak that elevated him to No. 5 in the lightweight rankings. Despite the loss, his stock remains high. A win in his next fight could position him for another title shot down the line. The fight showed he belongs at the highest level of competition, even if he fell short against a veteran like Gaethje.
UFC 324 Main Card Results
Beyond the main event, other significant results from UFC 324:
Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong – The bantamweight bout lived up to expectations with both ranked competitors bringing their best. Results from this co-main event are still being finalized.
Heavyweight Action – Derrick Lewis continued to showcase his knockout power against Waldo Cortes Acosta in an entertaining heavyweight clash.
Women’s Strawweight – Rose Namajunas faced Natalia Silva in a title-contention fight with playoff implications.
Historic Paramount+ Event
UFC 324 marked a historic first for the promotion, being the first numbered UFC event to stream exclusively on Paramount+ without pay-per-view in the United States since UFC 267 in 2021. The event also notably had a fight cancelled Saturday due to suspicious betting activity on the Michael Johnson vs Alexander Hernandez lightweight bout, according to UFC CEO Dana White.
The Verdict
Gaethje proved why he’s a perennial title contender, dismantling the previously unbeaten Pimblett in a dominant performance. While Pimblett showed he has what it takes to compete at the highest level, Gaethje’s experience, pressure, and striking proved too much on the night. The win sets up a major unification bout that could define the lightweight division for 2026.
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