Paddy Pimblett Says He’ll Get “No Credit” Even if He Beats Justin Gaethje at UFC 324

Paddy Pimblett doesn’t think he’ll get any credit if he beats Justin Gaethje to become the interim champion at UFC 324.

Following Dana White’s announcement earlier this week that Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is set to face Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in the main event of the first UFC fight card of the Paramount era on January 24, many fans on social media have criticized the decision to award a title fight to “The Baddy” ahead of the lightweight division’s No. 1-ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

Critics have pointed to Pimblett’s record, highlighting his lack of wins over top contenders in their athletic prime as evidence that the Englishman has been given an easy route to title contention.

Pimblett has dealt with such criticism for his entire career and says he isn’t bothered.

"People said I'd never be ranked," Pimblett said in a video posted on UFC social media accounts. "People said I'd never do this, never do that. The goalposts always get moved for me. It's just normal. Once I finish Gaethje, it's gonna be, 'Oh, he was 37. He was retiring anyway. He's on his way out. He's being handed a title shot.' All this bullsh*t.

"But, when I first signed with the UFC, it was, 'He's gonna get knocked out by (Luigi) Vendramini. Oh, he's only beating journeymen. Jared Gordon beat him. Jordan Leavitt's gonna submit him.' Then it was, 'Bobby Green's gonna knock him out.' Then it was, 'Michael Chandler's gonna knock him out.' Now it's, 'Justin Gaethje's gonna knock him out.' But then, once I beat him, it'll be, 'Oh, he was old.' He's this, he's that. I'm used to it, know what I mean? People think I'm still the same fighter who come in and fought Vendramini back in September 2021, when I'm a whole different animal."

Speculation had been mounting that Pimblett was in line to face reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) at UFC 324. However, after the Spanish-Georgian star recently announced that he would be taking some time away from the Octagon to deal with personal matters, the long-anticipated grudge match between the two evaporated.

Pimblett outlined his plans for 2026, envisioning a win over Gaethje as his gateway to major fights against Topuria, followed by a title defense against Arman Tsarukyan.

"I'm coming for that interim title, then I'll be making it the undisputed title when I come and beat Ilia Topuria up and take the undisputed title," Pimblett said. "That little posh boy (Tsarukyan), if he manages to fight in that time, because he likes sitting out and say he's got a sore back. If little posh boy fights in that time and keeps his ranking, I'll punch his head in as well."