Paddy Pimblett is confident that he possesses a unique edge over Justin Gaethje in anticipation of their highly anticipated title clash at UFC 324.
In just a little over a week, the interim lightweight championship will be on the line as Pimblett faces off against Gaethje in the main event of UFC 324. This matchup came about after Ilia Topuria announced his break from the sport to address significant family issues, with the eventual winner looking forward to a unification bout against the Spaniard.
However, as the main event approaches, an unexpected announcement from Gaethje’s head coach has added a layer of intrigue: it may potentially be 'The Highlight’s' final appearance in the octagon.
So, who will emerge victorious at UFC 324: Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett? Only one fighter will leave with the interim lightweight title on January 24.
👇 Dive into the conversation; we’d love to hear your thoughts! Don’t hesitate to use the comment button in the bottom left to share your opinions.
Pimblett sheds light on how his ‘weird’ fighting style could work to his advantage in this upcoming battle. As he heads into the main event, ‘The Baddy’ has garnered considerable support from the UFC fan community, largely due to his grappling abilities.
Nonetheless, it's important to note that Gaethje brings a wealth of experience to the table, having competed against elite fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier, and Max Holloway. Yet, Pimblett is convinced that his unconventional and somewhat ‘awkward’ approach to fighting gives him a leg up in terms of preparation.
"No, (I don’t think Gaethje will be able to stop my takedowns). I don’t grapple like a typical wrestler. I don’t execute double or single legs; I have my own distinctive style. I’m not your average fighter," Pimblett shared with TNT Sports.
He further elaborated, stating, "It’s going to be challenging for Gaethje to find a sparring partner who can replicate my grappling or striking techniques because I am quite unusual and awkward in my movements. It’s difficult to prepare for someone like me."
As he gears up for this bout, Gaethje has been training with the talented lightweight contender Fares Ziam, hoping that Ziam can emulate ‘The Baddy’s’ unique style in practice sessions.
Recently, Pimblett made a bold assertion regarding his readiness to counter Gaethje’s striking prowess, crediting his training with Luke Riley, whom he claims has superior striking skills compared to Gaethje.
Though Pimblett exudes confidence in his wrestling and grappling capabilities, it’s crucial to recognize that Gaethje boasts a strong wrestling background, even if he doesn’t always showcase it during fights in the UFC. Notably, despite having participated in twice as many UFC bouts, Gaethje has been taken down five fewer times than Pimblett. Moreover, the only two fighters who have managed to submit Gaethje are the aforementioned Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.
