LAS VEGAS (AP) - Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will be the faces of the UFC on Saturday when the premier organization in mixed-martial arts phases its first card on Paramount+.
It assists the UFC that both are fan favorites, but based strictly on rankings, it's questionable whether they must heading such an important event, much less complete for the interim light-weight title.
But a number of elements led to fourth-ranked opposition Gaethje (26-5) dealing with No. 5 Pimblett (23-3) at UFC 324. Reigning champion Ilia Topuria has actually taken a leave of lack for personal reasons, top-ranked opposition Arman Tsarukyan is recovering from a back injury and No. 2 Charles Oliveira and No. 3 Max Holloway are set up to combat each other at UFC 326 on March 7.
That does not imply, however, that Gaethje and Pimblett aren't an appealing matchup. This could be the final bout for the 37-year-old Gaethje, who fights out of Denver.
"It ´ s been a hell of a ride," Gaethje said. "I ´ m blessed to be given such big chances by the business. This is a huge chance to be the centerpiece red (higher-ranked) corner of the first Paramount card. I understand they trust me. They understand I ´ m the most consistent guy, the most interesting guy, which ´ s most likely why I ´ m here.
"He enters familiar area as the underdog. Pimblett, 31, is a -235 preferred at BetMGM Sportsbook, and Gaethje stated this is the 11th time in 14 such bouts the chances have protested him and it frequently hasn't exercised in his challenger's favor.
FILE - Justin Gaethje, left, celebrates after defeating Rafael Fiziev in a UFC 313 blended martial arts light-weight bout, March 8, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
It's that championship-level experience, the former light-weight champ said, that need to offer him a benefit over Pimblett. The fighter out of Liverpool, England, is competing in his very first title bout.
"It ´ s going to be good to have another legend ´ s name on me resume, "Pimblett stated. "It ´ s an honor to share the octagon with him. He ´ s somebody I ´ ve been expecting years and years. He ´ s had a few of the finest battles I ´ ve ever enjoyed in the UFC. That ´ s what we ´ re in this game for, individuals you view. You want to eventually fight them and beat them."
He has actually been waiting for this moment considering that walking into a fitness center at 15 and stating he would one day be a champ. Pimblett said he got booted from the health club that day, but that didn't prevent him.
Though he said training during the holiday "destroyed my Christmas" and he would never arrange another January battle, the wait and the work have actually deserved it.
"It's an honor to be the centerpiece of the first Paramount card," Pimblett said. "It demonstrates how much the UFC believes me and Justin to put on an excellent battle, and it's world title battle. It would be outrageous after 16 years for this to take place, and it's finally here."
Both fighters took traditional oral shots at each other, but there does not appear to be any specific displeasure in between them.
"I think he's actually excellent," Gaethje said. "I think this sport is insane. I think anything can occur at any moment."
In the co-main event, third-ranked challenger Sean O'Malley (18-3) of Phoenix deals with No. 5 Song Yadong (22-8-1) of China in a bantamweight battle.
The UFC had actually put its numbered cards on pay-per-view, but the organization signed a seven-year offer with Paramount in August that now airs those and other occasions on the subscription-based streaming service. CBS will simulcast some events.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
FILE - Michael Chandler, left, and Paddy Pimblett battle during a blended martial arts battle at UFC 314, April 13, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
