Paddy vs Gaethje took place at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision after five rounds, with official scores of 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46. Gaethje won the interim UFC lightweight championship.
Key Takeaways
- Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision at UFC 324.
- The official scorecards were 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 for Gaethje.
- Gaethje landed 144 of 254 significant strikes and scored three takedowns.
- Pimblett landed 156 of 311 significant strikes but recorded no successful takedowns.
- Gaethje later defeated Ilia Topuria in June 2026 to become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion, while Pimblett returned in July and submitted Benoît Saint Denis.
Paddy vs Gaethje: What Happened?
The Paddy vs Gaethje matchup was the main event of UFC 324 and was contested for the interim UFC lightweight championship.
Paddy Pimblett entered the fight as one of the UFC’s most recognizable rising lightweights, while Justin Gaethje brought years of championship-level experience into the matchup.
The fight went the full five rounds. Rather than ending by knockout or submission, it was decided by the judges after 25 minutes of action.
The official UFC result was Gaethje by unanimous decision.
The bout also earned Fight of the Night honors, according to UFC’s post-event coverage.
Official Result and Scorecards
The fight took place on January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
| Detail | Result |
| Event | UFC 324 |
| Fighters | Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Title | Interim UFC Lightweight Championship |
| Result | Gaethje won |
| Method | Unanimous decision |
| Round | 5 |
| Time | 5:00 |
| Scorecards | 48-47, 49-46, 49-46 |
The three official judges all awarded the fight to Gaethje, although one scorecard was considerably closer than the other two.
That distinction matters because the fight was competitive, particularly in the middle rounds, but the official decision was not split.
Paddy vs Gaethje Fight Stats
The statistics provide a useful way to understand how the fight developed.
| 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 |
| Submission attempts | 0 | 0 |
These figures show an interesting contrast. Pimblett actually landed more significant strikes overall, but Gaethje had the higher accuracy, scored two knockdowns, completed all three of his takedown attempts, and accumulated substantially more control time.
Striking Statistics
Pimblett landed 156 significant strikes compared with Gaethje’s 144. However, those numbers came from very different volumes.
Pimblett attempted 311 significant strikes, while Gaethje attempted 254. As a result, Gaethje’s 57% accuracy was higher than Pimblett’s 50%.
Gaethje also landed 200 total strikes to Pimblett’s 170.
Takedowns and Control
The grappling numbers were another important difference.
Gaethje went 3-for-3 on takedown attempts, while Pimblett went 0-for-5. Gaethje also recorded 5:55 of control time compared with 48 seconds for Pimblett.
That did not turn the contest into a traditional wrestling-heavy fight, but it gave Gaethje additional ways to control exchanges and accumulate meaningful moments.
How the Five-Round Fight Unfolded
The round-by-round numbers show that momentum shifted during the contest.
Round 1
Pimblett had the higher significant-strike total in the opening round, landing 37 compared with Gaethje’s 27.
However, Gaethje scored a knockdown and also recorded more control time. The statistical contrast helps explain why raw strike totals alone do not necessarily determine a judges’ decision.
Round 2
Gaethje increased his output, landing 32 significant strikes to Pimblett’s 22.
He also completed two takedowns and scored another knockdown. The second round therefore contained several measurable advantages for Gaethje.
Round 3
Pimblett responded strongly in the third round.
He landed 41 significant strikes, while Gaethje landed 24. This was Pimblett’s largest statistical advantage in any individual round and showed that the fight was far from one-sided.
Round 4
Both fighters produced high output in the fourth.
Pimblett landed 35 significant strikes and Gaethje landed 32. Gaethje also completed another takedown and added more control time.
Round 5
The final round again favored Gaethje statistically.
He landed 29 significant strikes compared with 21 for Pimblett. Pimblett attempted three takedowns but did not complete any, while Gaethje added another minute-plus of control time.
Why Gaethje Won the Decision
The official scorecards reflect the judges’ assessment of the complete five-round contest rather than simply counting significant strikes.
Gaethje had several measurable advantages: two knockdowns, three successful takedowns, higher significant-strike accuracy, more total strikes, and more control time.
At the same time, Pimblett’s 156 significant strikes demonstrate that he generated substantial offense of his own.
UFC’s official post-fight coverage described the contest as competitive and highlighted Gaethje’s pressure and damaging striking, while also noting Pimblett’s durability and his ability to remain competitive.
The final decision was therefore based on the judges’ evaluation of the full fight, with all three awarding Gaethje the victory.
What the Fight Meant for Paddy Pimblett
The loss ended a seven-fight winning streak for Pimblett, according to contemporary post-fight reporting.
However, the result did not end his position as a significant figure in the UFC lightweight division.
Pimblett returned to competition on July 11, 2026, against Benoît Saint Denis at UFC 329. He won that fight by submission in just 52 seconds of the opening round.
The UFC’s current fighter profile lists Pimblett at 24-4-0 and identifies him as an active lightweight.
So, the Gaethje defeat became one chapter in Pimblett’s career rather than his final UFC appearance.
What Happened to Justin Gaethje After UFC 324?
Gaethje’s career moved in the opposite direction after the fight.
His victory over Pimblett earned him the interim lightweight championship and positioned him for a later championship opportunity.
On June 14, 2026, Gaethje faced Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250. Gaethje won by TKO via corner stoppage at 5:00 of the fourth round, according to UFC’s official fighter information.
That victory made Gaethje the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.
Therefore, the significance of the Paddy vs Gaethje result changed over the course of 2026. What began as a fight for an interim championship ultimately became part of Gaethje’s path to the undisputed lightweight title.
FAQs:
Who won Paddy vs Gaethje?
Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026. The official judges scored the fight 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 for Gaethje.
What was the score of Gaethje vs Pimblett?
The official scorecards were 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46, all in favor of Justin Gaethje. The fight went all five rounds.
When did Paddy Pimblett fight Justin Gaethje?
Paddy Pimblett fought Justin Gaethje on January 24, 2026, at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. The bout was the main event and was contested for the interim UFC lightweight championship.
Did Paddy Pimblett fight again after Gaethje?
Yes. Pimblett returned on July 11, 2026, and defeated Benoît Saint Denis by submission at UFC 329. The fight ended 52 seconds into the first round.
Conclusion:
The Paddy vs Gaethje fight delivered a five-round UFC 324 main event that was ultimately decided by unanimous decision.
Gaethje won the official scorecards and secured the interim lightweight championship. Pimblett had strong moments and landed more significant strikes overall, but Gaethje’s accuracy, knockdowns, takedowns, and control time were important statistical differences.
The story continued beyond UFC 324. Pimblett bounced back with a first-round submission win, while Gaethje later defeated Ilia Topuria to become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.
