Paddy Pimblett is hoping Justin Gaethje can push him into some dark places on January 24, but he has a feeling the fight may resemble his last outing.
Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and Gaethje (24-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) are set to square off in the main event of UFC 324 next week for the interim lightweight title, as the promotion prepares to usher in a new era to kick off its broadcast deal with Paramount Plus.
Gaethje has carved out a reputation as one of the most exciting fighters in UFC history, and while Pimblett would relish the opportunity to engage in a blood-and-guts war with “The Highlight” at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas next weekend, he believes the bout is more likely to resemble his dominant win over Michael Chandler at UFC 314 last April.
“I want a war,” Pimblett told Megan Olivi in a Paramount interview. “I’ve never had a war. I’ve never had a war where we’re both cut and bloodied up. I’d love a fight like (Israel) Adesanya vs. (Kelvin) Gastelum. I’d love a fight like that but I don’t think Justin Gaethje is the man to give me it.
“I love biting down on my gumshield and swinging punches. You never know, I might end up doing that (points at the floor) to him but I just can’t see him getting past the third round. The only way he beats me is a big overhand right or a big left hook. I genuinely don’t see anywhere (that) he’s better than me. Even on the feet, I know he’s an amazing striker but so am I, so I just don’t see anywhere that he beats me.”
Pimblett faced a former opponent of Gaethje’s in Michael Chandler last time out, dominating the former Bellator champion before finishing him in the third round. He expects this fight to look very similar to that victory.
“It's the same as Chandler, he doesn’t get past the third (round),” the Liverpudlian predicted. “I don’t see him getting out of the third round but I can see myself finishing him before that. To be honest, I keep having mad, crazy visions of knocking him out on the feet but wherever the fight goes, TKO or submission by round three.”
