Liverpool lightweight fighter Paddy Pimblett displayed two prominent black eyes as he celebrated at his own after-party, just hours after being discharged from hospital following a punishing defeat at UFC 324. The 31-year-old suffered a points loss to American veteran Justin Gaethje in a gruelling five-round interim lightweight title bout in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Hospital Visit and Swift Recovery
Immediately after the fight, Pimblett required medical attention and was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was later released, with his wife taking to social media to reassure concerned fans about his condition. She posted a heartfelt message alongside a photo, writing: "Us forever. For everyone asking he is absolutely fine and will be back." This quick update provided relief to his supporters following the physically demanding contest.
Nightclub Celebration Despite Defeat
Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Pimblett was spotted later that evening at Zouk nightclub within the Resorts World complex in Las Vegas. The venue officially welcomed him on social media, stating: "Welcome home, Paddy Pimblett." As the Liverpudlian entered the establishment, he was greeted by enthusiastic fans holding up signs that read "We love Paddy Pimblett," showing the fighter retains strong support despite the setback.
Fight Analysis and Post-Match Comments
The bout itself saw Pimblett lose the initial two rounds before mounting a spirited comeback in the third, briefly raising hopes of a dramatic turnaround. However, Gaethje, known as 'The Highlight,' intensified his assault in the fourth and narrowly secured the final round, earning a unanimous decision victory. This win positions Gaethje for a future title shot against the full champion, Ilia Topuria.
In his emotional post-fight interview, Pimblett dedicated his performance to personal losses, saying: "My friend's mother, Liam Gittins, like my little brother in the gym, Julie Gittins, his mum passed away a couple of months ago, so I want to dedicate that to him. Obviously, I'm a Liverpool fan, and I know there'll be loads of Liverpool fans here, there's a Liverpool legend what passed away in the past few months, Diogo Jota, and his brother Andre, so I'd like to dedicate that performance to them, even though I didn't win."
Future Determination and Respect for Opponent
Pimblett expressed his disappointment at not capturing the interim belt but showed respect for his conqueror. He stated: "I wanted to be walking away with that belt and I know how tough I am anyway. I don't need to prove it to anyone. I wanted to leave with that belt. But there's no man I'd rather lose to than 'The Highlight', someone I grew up watching. It shows why he's a legend, right there. I thought 48-47 was a fair scorecard."
He also revealed a critical moment in the fight, noting: "I'm not going to lie, he hit me with a body shot in that first round, hit me right in the solar plexus, and it got me. I thought I was winning the round up until that point. I'm 31, you haven't seen the last of me." This declaration underscores his intent to continue competing at the highest level of mixed martial arts.
