Gaethje vs Pimblett took place at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision, with official scores of 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46. The five-round fight was for the interim UFC lightweight title.
Key Takeaways
- Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision at UFC 324.
- The official judges scored the fight 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 for Gaethje.
- The fight went the full five rounds and was contested for the interim UFC lightweight championship.
- Gaethje recorded two knockdowns and three successful takedowns according to the published fight statistics.
- Pimblett later returned at UFC 329 and submitted Benoît Saint Denis in the first round.
Gaethje vs Pimblett: Fight Overview
The matchup between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett became the main event of UFC 324, one of the UFC’s major events of 2026. The fight brought together an established lightweight contender in Gaethje and one of the division’s most recognizable rising stars in Pimblett.
The five-round contest took place on January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bout was scheduled for the interim UFC lightweight championship.
Going into the fight, Pimblett had built considerable momentum. UFC’s fighter profile records that he entered the matchup with a long winning run, while Gaethje had extensive experience in high-level lightweight and title fights.
When and Where the Fight Happened
Event: UFC 324
Date: January 24, 2026
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Division: Lightweight
Title: Interim UFC Lightweight Championship
Result: Justin Gaethje def. Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision
The official UFC event page confirms that the fight lasted all five scheduled rounds.
What Was at Stake?
The matchup was not simply a regular lightweight bout. Gaethje and Pimblett fought for the interim UFC lightweight title, giving the contest additional significance within the division.
For Gaethje, the fight represented another opportunity to compete for UFC championship gold. For Pimblett, it was a chance to take a major step forward against one of the division’s most experienced names.
Who Won Gaethje vs Pimblett?
Justin Gaethje won the fight by unanimous decision.
The judges’ official scorecards were:
| Judge | Score |
| Mike Bell | 48-47 Gaethje |
| Derek Cleary | 49-46 Gaethje |
| Sal D’Amato | 49-46 Gaethje |
All three judges awarded the fight to Gaethje.
The decision ended the fight without a knockout or submission. Instead, both fighters completed all five rounds before the judges determined the winner.
The UFC’s official results also confirm that Gaethje captured the interim lightweight championship with the victory.
Gaethje vs Pimblett Fight Stats
The numbers provide useful context for how competitive the fight was.
According to the published UFC statistics, Gaethje landed 144 of 254 significant strikes, while Pimblett landed 156 of 311. Gaethje also landed three of three attempted takedowns, while Pimblett went zero for five. Gaethje recorded two knockdowns.
| Statistic | Justin Gaethje | Paddy Pimblett |
| Significant strikes | 144/254 | 156/311 |
| Significant-strike accuracy | 57% | 50% |
| Total strikes | 200/313 | 170/326 |
| Takedowns | 3/3 | 0/5 |
| Control time | 5:55 | 0:48 |
| Knockdowns | 2 | 0 |
These figures also show why raw strike totals should not be confused with judges’ scoring. Pimblett landed more significant strikes overall in the published statistics, but Gaethje’s knockdowns, takedowns, control and effectiveness contributed to his official decision victory.
Significant Strikes
Pimblett had several rounds where he produced strong striking numbers, particularly in the third round. The round-by-round statistics show Pimblett landing 41 significant strikes in Round 3 compared with 24 from Gaethje.
Gaethje, however, produced important moments that affected the overall fight. His two recorded knockdowns came in the opening two rounds.
Takedowns and Control
The grappling statistics favored Gaethje clearly.
He completed three of three takedown attempts, while Pimblett did not complete any of his five attempts. Gaethje also accumulated 5:55 of control time compared with Pimblett’s 48 seconds.
That difference gave Gaethje another avenue for controlling the fight beyond his striking.
Knockdowns
Gaethje recorded two knockdowns, one in each of the first two rounds according to the round-by-round statistics.
Those moments were particularly important because the fight ultimately went to the judges rather than ending inside the distance.
How the Fight Played Out
Round 1
Pimblett started actively and landed a higher number of significant strikes during the opening round. The statistics show Pimblett landing 37 significant strikes to Gaethje’s 27.
However, Gaethje produced the round’s most important moment by scoring a knockdown. That gave the veteran a major piece of effective offense despite Pimblett’s higher strike output.
Round 2
Gaethje increased his control in the second round. He landed 32 significant strikes compared with Pimblett’s 22 and completed both of his takedown attempts.
He also scored another knockdown, giving him two across the first two rounds.
Round 3
The third round was a strong statistical round for Pimblett.
He landed 41 significant strikes, compared with 24 from Gaethje. This helped demonstrate Pimblett’s ability to remain competitive after the difficult opening two rounds.
Round 4
The fourth round remained competitive, with both fighters landing significant offense. Gaethje landed 32 significant strikes, while Pimblett landed 35.
Gaethje also completed another takedown and added 1:26 of control time during the round.
Round 5
The final round saw Gaethje finish strongly in the published statistics.
He landed 29 significant strikes compared with 21 for Pimblett and added another 1:05 of control time. Pimblett attempted three takedowns in the round but did not complete one.
After five rounds, the judges unanimously awarded the contest to Gaethje.
Gaethje vs Pimblett: Style and Performance Comparison
The matchup offered an interesting contrast between two experienced but different lightweight fighters.
Gaethje entered with a long history of high-level five-round contests and title fights. His approach against Pimblett combined striking pressure with takedowns and control.
Pimblett brought a varied offensive game and continued producing significant strikes even after being knocked down early. His ability to maintain offense through five rounds was an important part of the fight’s competitive nature.
The final statistics show that Pimblett actually landed more significant strikes overall, while Gaethje had the advantage in total strikes, takedowns, control time and knockdowns.
That combination illustrates why judging an MMA fight requires more than simply counting landed strikes.
What the Result Meant for Both Fighters
For Gaethje, the victory added another UFC interim lightweight championship to his résumé. The UFC described the win as his second interim lightweight title and noted that it positioned him for another championship opportunity.
The result also became an important part of Pimblett’s UFC career. His previous winning run ended with the decision loss, but he did not remain inactive for long.
Pimblett returned at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026, where he submitted Benoît Saint Denis with a D’Arce choke in just 52 seconds of the first round, according to his UFC profile.
That means the Gaethje fight was not the end of Pimblett’s progress in the UFC. Instead, it became one chapter in his ongoing lightweight career.
FAQs:
Who won Gaethje vs Pimblett?
Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision at UFC 324. The official scorecards were 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46, all in Gaethje’s favor.
What was the Gaethje vs Pimblett score?
The three official judges scored the fight 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 for Justin Gaethje. The fight went the full five rounds without a knockout or submission.
Was Gaethje vs Pimblett a title fight?
Yes. Gaethje and Pimblett fought for the interim UFC lightweight championship at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026. Gaethje won the title by unanimous decision.
How long did Gaethje vs Pimblett last?
The fight lasted the full five rounds, with each round scheduled for five minutes. The official result lists the contest as ending at 5:00 of Round 5 by unanimous decision.
What were the main Gaethje vs Pimblett statistics?
Gaethje recorded two knockdowns, three successful takedowns and 5:55 of control time. Pimblett landed more significant strikes overall, with 156 compared with Gaethje’s 144, but Gaethje won the official decision.
Conclusion:
Gaethje vs Pimblett delivered a five-round UFC 324 main event that combined striking exchanges, knockdowns and grappling.
Justin Gaethje won by unanimous decision with scores of 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46, capturing the interim lightweight championship.
Although Pimblett produced strong offensive numbers and remained competitive throughout the contest, Gaethje’s knockdowns, takedowns and control were key parts of his winning performance. The fight now stands as an important matchup in both fighters’ UFC careers.
