Paddy Pimblett's pre-fight promise to leave Justin Gaethje physically changed spectacularly backfired at UFC 324 in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The Liverpudlian had warned Gaethje he would not look the same after their interim title bout, vowing to deliver a beatdown unlike any the American had received.
Gaethje took those words personally and swiftly asserted his dominance, dropping Pimblett twice in the first two rounds. Despite the Brit showing glimpses of resistance, he ultimately fell to a unanimous decision defeat, his face and body bearing the marks of Gaethje's strikes.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Gaethje said he loved teaching Pimblett a lesson. 'He said my face was not going to look the same after the fight, and his was going to look the exact same. As soon as it was over, I was like: well, look at your face,' Gaethje remarked, adding that Pimblett must accept the worst possible outcome in future.
Pimblett was taken to hospital after his first UFC loss but was gracious in defeat. 'You live and you learn; I'm 31, I will be back better. You haven't seen the last of me,' he told Joe Rogan, acknowledging Gaethje as a legend he admired growing up. He agreed with the 48-47 scorecard, admitting a body shot in the first round had hurt him.
