Main event: Interim UFC Lightweight Championship (155 lbs)
🔥 Build-Up & Weigh-Ins
The interim lightweight title fight between Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje and Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett was one of the most hyped matchups of early 2026.
With undisputed champ Ilia Topuria on hiatus for personal reasons, the interim belt was on the line.
At the official weigh-ins, Gaethje made the 155-lb limit and Pimblett came in at 154 lbs, confirming the bout was official.
Pimblett stoked the atmosphere in Vegas, even revealing he bought hundreds of tickets for friends and family to back him in the arena — a psychological edge he hoped would unsettle the American veteran.
🎤 Talk Before the Fight
In the pre-fight press and media obligations, the tension was palpable.
Pimblett playfully taunted Gaethje during the weigh-in face-offs, suggesting his opponent was bothered by crowd reactions and trying to get under his skin.
Gaethje, 37, hinted he may be in the twilight of his career, aiming to make this his final run for UFC gold before retirement.
🕘 Round-by-Round Action
Walkouts & Atmosphere
The crowd was electric, particularly for Pimblett’s walkout, with chants and cheers echoing through the arena.
Gaethje’s walk was met with respect and anticipation, possibly for what could be his last big fight.
Round 1 — Fireworks Start
Both fighters opened aggressively, trading strikes. Gaethje’s pressure and heavy uppercuts began to change the pace.A brief pause for an eye poke on Pimblett didn’t dampen the action, and Gaethje’s relentless forward movement helped him take the opening frame on most informal scorecards.
Round 2 — Grinding & Damage
Gaethje continued to impose his will, stuffing takedown attempts and landing punishing body shots.A moment of dominance saw him drag Pimblett down and post big strikes as the round wound down. Gaethje’s experience seemed to show.
Round 3 — Pimblett Fights Back
Pimblett’s striking volume picked up, mixing jabs and high kicks, and managed to edge the round with cleaner, more consistent offense.A jumping knee from Pimblett briefly halted the action with a low-blow stoppage, but he kept the pressure afterwards.
Rounds 4 & 5 — Final Flurry
Both fighters traded heavy shots in the championship rounds.Gaethje’s forward pressure and clinch control made it tough for Pimblett to dominate, but “The Baddy” never stopped throwing and found moments of success, especially with kicks and counters.
🏆 Fight Result
After five hard rounds of action, Justin Gaethje emerged victorious by unanimous decision with judges scoring the bout 48-47, 49-46, 49-46.
Gaethje’s combination of relentless pressure, powerful striking and cage control ultimately gave him the edge over Pimblett’s spirited performance.
Both fighters earned praise, with fans applauding the bout as one of the event’s highlights.
🧠 Post-Fight Notes
Gaethje claimed the interim UFC lightweight title, positioning himself for a future undisputed title shot once Topuria returns.
Pimblett, despite the loss, earned respect for his toughness and high-momentum moments throughout the fight.
🎥 Other Highlights from UFC 324
Waldo Cortes-Acosta scored a dramatic TKO over Derrick Lewis in a heavyweight slugfest.
The bantamweight showdown Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong saw O’Malley reassert himself in the division, earning a unanimous decision.
Jean Silva edged Arnold Allen in a razor-thin unanimous decision early on the main card.
Several prelim bouts showcased rising talents, with Umar Nurmagomedov and Nikita Krylov posting impressive wins.
