Paddy Pimblett's UFC Future: Can He Recover From Gaethje Loss?
Even in a decisive title-fight defeat to Justin Gaethje, Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett solidified his status as one of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's most prominent active stars. His next strategic move, as always, will prove absolutely critical to his career trajectory following a punishing five-round battle in Las Vegas.
A Bloody Night in Vegas
Standing in the Octagon with his characteristic slouched posture, Pimblett wore the colours of his beloved Liverpool FC. Unfortunately for the Scouser, he did not share their champion status on this occasion. The red he sported was a blotchy, bloody splash across his face, a stark visual testament to Gaethje's dominance. Pimblett had boldly vowed before the fight: "He won't be physically the same after this fight. I will be exactly the same." Yet after the interim lightweight title bout concluded, it was Gaethje who delivered the cutting remark: "Well, look at your face motherf*****."
Indeed, Pimblett's own words came back to haunt him. Dropped three times and thoroughly outpointed in a unanimous decision loss, the 31-year-old lightweight can at least take considerable pride in his almost incomprehensible display of heart and durability. This resilience ensured that an older, more famous quote of his did not return to mock him. "I'm a Scouser, we don't get knocked out!" was his proclamation after a chaotic UFC debut in 2021. On that night and several subsequent fight nights, numerous fans and analysts insisted the young Briton would never earn a title shot. Some critics took issue with the perceived level of opposition presented to him en route to Saturday's main event. However, in fairness, there was a steady escalation in each opponent's calibre, and Pimblett demonstrated clear improvements with every performance.
The Star Power Paradox
Furthermore, the illusion that the UFC operates as a pure meritocracy has long been shattered, which is not intended as overly critical commentary. It is difficult to blame the promotion for giving its biggest commercial draws a degree of favourable matchmaking, and Pimblett is undoubtedly one of the UFC's most significant stars. Of that fact, there can be no remaining doubt – not after UFC 324, even in a losing effort against a legend like Gaethje.
The central issue for Pimblett now is this: much of his pre-fight rhetoric centred on how he is perpetually doubted and consistently proves his detractors wrong. Yet against Gaethje, he was actually the betting favourite. So when he was soundly beaten, he did prove people wrong again, but for entirely the wrong reasons. Gaethje's legacy as arguably the most entertaining fighter in UFC history only swelled with this commanding performance. The stark reality remains that the American is 37 years old and was widely viewed as a stylistic lay-up for Paddy The Baddy – the most beatable big-name opponent the UFC could realistically offer him at this juncture.
Questionable Tactics and Lasting Damage
For the best part of five rounds, Gaethje landed significant strikes on the 31-year-old almost at will, dropping him three times before the final bell. Pimblett deserves immense credit for his near-superhuman resilience, fighting through two eye pokes and landing consistently himself. Nevertheless, the evident power differential meant Pimblett was always under the greater threat of a fight-ending blow.
Also of significant concern was Pimblett's puzzling gameplan. He had told The Independent in December: "His grappling is his weakness and it's my strong point, but I'm not coming in to grapple. People think I'm just going to try to take him down immediately, but I'm not; I'm gonna out-strike him and try and knock him out. If it comes down to it, if his chin really is that good, then I'll take him down." This was surprising rhetoric. While Pimblett has commendably tightened his striking, it remains his biggest weakness both offensively and defensively. Conversely, he has proven himself one of the lightweight division's most effective grapplers. Although Gaethje is a former all-American wrestler, he has largely ignored that pedigree during his UFC career, favouring a brawling, striking-centric style.
Everything was perfectly aligned for Pimblett to take down Gaethje and potentially submit the former – now two-time – interim champion, handing him the same kind of grappling defeat he suffered against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. However, Pimblett, despite urgent pleas from his corner, barely attempted a single takedown. This strategic misstep may be what he ultimately rues most: not just the frightening, potentially career-altering damage absorbed, but the conscious deviation from his clearest path to victory.
What Comes Next for Paddy The Baddy?
The pressing question now is what lies ahead. It is worth reiterating that many fans have criticised the favourable matchmaking Pimblett has benefited from over the past five years. He may now require a more calculated step back. Attention swiftly turns to the contenders surrounding him. Above him in the rankings sit ex-champions Oliveira and Max Holloway – scheduled to clash in early March – and the dangerous Arman Tsarukyan. That says nothing of reigning champion Ilia Topuria, a bitter rival of Pimblett's, against whom a massive fight has slipped away for the foreseeable future.
Given the extreme danger these elite fighters pose, Pimblett should logically fight down the rankings next. His closest rival in that context is Dan Hooker, and "rival" is an apt term. Pimblett made a vulgar comment about the New Zealander's mother recently, with Hooker responding with a vile jibe about one of Pimblett's deceased friends. While not endorsing matchmaking built on such toxicity, the UFC may well capitalise on this animosity. It would also represent a fight that Pimblett, if he returns to his grappling strengths, would be heavily favoured to win.
Other contenders around Pimblett offer varying threat levels, but among all options, there exists a nuclear alternative: Conor McGregor. The Irish former champion is desperate for a cage return, with the UFC's planned White House event in June firmly in his sights. A Pimblett versus McGregor bout, against an opponent who has not fought in five years, should represent a winnable contest for Paddy The Baddy and would be among the biggest fights the promotion could make. It would further harness Pimblett's immense star power, shifting focus onto his marketability rather than his technical flaws.
Recovery and Rebuild
First and foremost, Pimblett must rest. UFC president Dana White confirmed the Scouser was hospitalised on Saturday night, sharing a graphic image of Pimblett's post-fight facial damage. The process must be: rest, recover, then rebuild. Pimblett was commendably humble in defeat but issued one clear promise: "You haven't seen the last of me." His ability to learn from this brutal setback and adapt his strategy will define the next chapter of his already compelling UFC story.
