Paddy Pimblett suffered a brutal, devastating defeat at UFC 324 on Saturday, as Justin Gaethje beat the Liverpudlian star in a five-round war in Las Vegas.
Gaethje won a chaotic contest at the T-Mobile Arena with scores of 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46, claiming the interim lightweight title in the process, and costing Pimblett a shot at his bitter rival, Ilia Topuria.
Heading into Saturday’s main event, Pimblett was 7-0 in the UFC, but against Gaethje, he faced his most-experienced opponent yet. And Gaethje’s experience was one of numerous factors that secured him victory over “Paddy The Baddy”, who showed immense heart in defeat.
Gaethje, 37, dropped Pimblett, 31, multiple times but also dealt out two eye pokes, which went unpunished as the American became a two-time interim champion. Gaethje is next expected to try to unify the belts, taking on regular champ Topuria, with whom Pimblett has held a grudge since a hotel bust-up in 2022.
Re-live the action from UFC 324 below, and see all the results:
UFC 324 live
- Paddy Pimblett suffers points loss to Justin Gaethje in interim lightweight title fight
- Liverpool’s ‘Paddy The Baddy’ absorbs immense punishment in chaotic bout
- Pimblett beaten for first time in UFC; Gaethje wins interim belt for second time
- Sean O’Malley wins narrow decision over Song Yadong in co-main event
- Britain’s Arnold Allen on wrong end of close decision against Jean Silva
UFC 324
09:00 , Alex Pattle
UFC 324
08:45 , Alex Pattle
UFC 324
08:30 , Alex Pattle
UFC 324 results in full: Main card
08:15 , Alex PattleJustin Gaethje def. Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
Sean O’Malleu def. Song Yadong via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Derrick Lewis via second-round TKO (3:14, ground and pound)
Natalia Silva def. Rose Namajunas via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC 324 results in full: Prelims
08:00 , Alex PattlePrelims
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Deiveson Figueiredo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ateba Gautier def. Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Nikita Krylov def. Modestas Bukauskas via third-round TKO (4:57, punches)
Alex Perez def. Charles Johnson via first-round TKO (3:16, punches)
Early prelims
Josh Hokit def. Denzel Freeman via first-round TKO (4:59, punches)
Ty Miller def. Adam Fugitt via first-round TKO (4:59, punches)
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
07:45 , Alex Pattle
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
07:30 , Alex Pattle
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
07:15 , Alex Pattle
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
07:00 , Alex Pattle
Report: Brave Pimblett bloodied and beaten by Gaethje in ridiculous title fight
06:45 , Alex Pattle
Brave Paddy Pimblett bloodied and beaten by Justin Gaethje in ridiculous title fight
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
06:30 , Alex PattlePimblett during his walkout... a very different sight to after the bout...
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
06:22 , Alex PattleWhat a scrap in Sin City 🤩
— UFC (@ufc) January 25, 2026
[ #UFC324 | @Justin_Gaethje | @PaddyTheBaddy ] pic.twitter.com/SsGUp1dV8I
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
06:14 , Alex Pattle🏆 @Justin_Gaethje brings the belt home 🏠
— UFC (@ufc) January 25, 2026
When & where do you want him next? 👀
[ #UFC324 | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/nBs8CBlo7r
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
06:07 , Alex PattleFOREVER LINKED ∞@Justin_Gaethje & @PaddyTheBaddy just had an epic main event to kick off the year!
— UFC (@ufc) January 25, 2026
[ #UFC324 | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/9yXiXSCixt
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
06:00 , Alex PattleANOTHER KNOCKDOWN FOR @Justin_Gaethje TO START ROUND 4!
— UFC (@ufc) January 25, 2026
[ #UFC324 | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/gfbpZzGzuG
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
05:56 , Alex PattleOuch.
— UFC (@ufc) January 25, 2026
[ #UFC324 | @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/jGDTrE12EX
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
05:50 , Alex PattleAll respect 🫡 @Justin_Gaethje & @PaddyTheBaddy are having one hell of a fight so far!
— UFC (@ufc) January 25, 2026
[ #UFC324 | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/G5w7oFPI5l
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
05:46 , Alex PattleAN EARLY KNOCKDOWN FOR @Justin_Gaethje 🤯
— UFC (@ufc) January 25, 2026
[ #UFC324 | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/obnrCiWVty
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
05:39 , Alex PattlePimblett dedicates the performance to a couple of men close to him who took their own lives this year. As ever, he speaks up in support of men’s mental health.
He also pays tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, players for Pimblett’s beloved Liverpool FC, who died in a car crash last summer.
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
05:38 , Alex PattlePimblett: “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,
“I’m not gonna 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.”
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
05:35 , Alex PattleGaethje: “I’ve just really got to trust my coach, ‘move him backwards and put your head on his chest’. I landed some MEAN ground and pound, that s*** was nasty!”
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
05:34 , Alex PattleGaethje: “I knew that I had to put him on his back foot. He’s very dangerous and has great timing. I had to work really hard, but champions move forward, and I just showed you why that is a must.”
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
05:34 , Alex PattleGaethje: “Scousers cannot get knocked out! This Scouser does not get knocked out. What a f***ing gangster.”
Before the result was read out, Paddy asked his team if he even won a round.
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett beaten by Justin Gaethje
05:33 , Alex PattleJustin Gaethje def. Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
There it is! What a WAR.
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
05:31 , Alex PattleRound five
There’s a long clinch, and when they finally separate, both men throw wild punches, with Paddy jumping for knees as well.
He lands a long combination now, with one minute to go! Gaethje grabs ahold of him...
It’s a frenzied end, and the buzzer finally sounds!
Gaethje will SURELY be crowned interim champion, but Pimblett showed IMMENSE heart.
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
05:27 , Alex PattleRound five
A standing ovation for these warriors, who embrace! Pimblett needs a finish to rescue this. Who saw a Gaethje decision win tonight? No one I spoke to!
Gaethje with a sloppy takedown, and he eats punches in the ensuing chaos! OH! Paddy is tagged with a ridiculous overhand. What are we watching?!
PImblett gets a body lock but can’t get Gaethje down... yet...
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
05:24 , Alex PattleRound four
I didn’t think we’d see the championship rounds! A hook hurts Pimblett, who tries a sloppy takedown to no avail...
Once again, Gaethje uses a front headlock to wear on the Brit before letting him stand.
Oh! Pimblett hits the deck again, but he pops straight back up. The pair clinch, and Gaethje burrows body shots into the body.
Gaethje has the back now. He separates and lands a masssssive left hand, how is Pimblett still there?!
Even Gaethje seems shocked! He’s eating huge punches, his face is bloodied and bruised, and STILL he’s throwing back.
First event of the year, but this one will be a fight of the year contender by December – don’t worry about that.
Gaethje slows down somewhat, but PImblett is bleeding from the nose as well now.
Sloppy punches from both in the final minute of the penultimate round.
One round to go! Paddy is possibly 3-1 down. He motions to the crowd anyway!
His team say he NEEDS to finish Gaethje.
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
05:18 , Alex PattleRound three
That low blow is at least someeee revenge for the two eye pokes on Pimblett.
Back under way, and Pimblett maintains his momentum. He eats a clean cross, somehow... What a chin he has...
Okay, Pimblett is in this fight now. 2-1 down, likely, with two rounds to go. Is Gaethje fading?
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
05:16 , Alex PattleRound three
Decent jabs by Pimblett here, as he regains some composure. He’s still kicking low and hard, too. Still, his corner wants him to take down Gaethje, and he’s not shooting!
Now here comes Gaethje, falling over his own feet with wild hooks and overhands. Stiff jab by Pimblett, now a front kick to the body.
Pimblett is bleeding from around his right eye. Oh, he eats an overhand... Body kick from Paddy.
Pimblett with a string of clean rights now! Gaethje considers a single-leg, even...
Gaethje complains of a low blow as Paddy throws a knee. Another pause here.
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
05:12 , Alex PattleOh, no! Right before the knockdown, Gaethje poked Pimblett in the eye again! Ref Marc Goddard had warned Gaethje in round one that he’d dock a point for a second eye poke, but Gaethje has gotten away with it! Not another Briton cost by an eye poke, after Tom Aspinall in October...?
Between rounds, Pimblett’s corner sounds panicked. His coaches are begging him to take down Gaethje.
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
05:11 , Alex PattleRound two
Gaethje eats a few low kicks but manages to haul Pimblett to the canvas with a front headlock. Eventually the pair stand, and Paddy is sporting some bad swelling around his right eye.
Now Gaethje lands a couple of low kicks, and Pimblett stumbles! Is he hurt? He’s moving sheepishly, but he’s surviving for now. He clinches for a while, landing mean knees in the clinch.
Both men are breathing heavily. They separate, and Gaethje walks forward. Again he drags down Pimblett with a front headlock.
Gaethje seems content to get his breath back and wear down on Pimblett. Eventually Gaethje chooses to stand.
Oh! Gaethje drops Pimblett with a right hand, and the Scouser is in trouble by the fence! Gaethje with short, slashing elbows!
Pimblett reaches the buzzer but is likely two rounds down here.
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
05:05 , Alex PattleRound one
The last minute is in the books, and Gaethje landed a couple of hard hooks in there. Paddy did well to survive that round, but he also landed his fair share of clean strikes! Lots of good knees in there from Paddy, especially.
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
05:02 , Alex PattleRound one
Five rounds scheduled. How many will we see? They touch gloves twice. Gaethje presses forward early. Both men stand orthodox.
Gaethje is one of MMA’s best low kickers, but he eats a few from Paddy early. Pimblett with some counter straights and a one-two.
He eats an overhand from Gaethje. Big knee from Paddy! He eats an uppercut! This is chaos already, as we expected!
You can’t take your eyes off it. Oh!!! Gaethje has Paddy hurt against the cage, and Pimblett drops to the mat! He turtles up, and Gaethje is controlling the Scouser, landing hard shots...
Gaethje backs off and lets Pimblett stand. Wow, good uppercut from Paddy against the run of play...
Gaethje is still stalking Pimblett, who looks like his hands are shaking. Pimblett kicks low and hard but slips. He stands and lands a knee and hook.
Gaethje talks to him. Now an uppercut by Paddy! This is so raw. Pimblett complains of an eye poke with a minute to go, and the action is paused.
Why ‘Paddy The Baddy’ is the perfect star to lead UFC in new era
04:50 , Alex PattleThere’s an intentional delay before Pimblett’s walkout song begins, so those watching at home can hear the T-Mobile Arena crowd singing, “Ohhhhh, Paddy The Baddy!”
There is a LOT of Scouse support for Pimblett in the building tonight!!
On that note, here’s more from Will Castle, who explains why Pimblett is the perfect headliner for tonight’s event – the UFC’s first on Paramount+:
Why Paddy Pimblett is perfectly placed to set up the UFC’s new era
Exclusive interview: Meeting two versions of ‘Paddy The Baddy’
04:44 , Alex PattleCrossing the road on a junction by London Bridge station, preparing to turn the corner and head towards Bankside to interview Paddy Pimblett, I meet him unexpectedly early.
Fourteen foot off the ground, he flashes a grin down at me, his eyes twinkling under that familiar spill of blonde hair. His head is much larger than expected, even with the knowledge that he tends to add significant weight between fights.
This is UFC star “Paddy The Baddy” as a face of JD Sports, splashed across an advert on the side of a double-decker bus. Larger than life.
Exclusive interview:
Meeting two versions of Paddy Pimblett as Scouse star finally fights for UFC gold
UFC 324 live: Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
04:40 , Alex PattleOkay, next up it’s the one we’ve all been waiting for...
Paddy Pimblett fights for UFC gold for the first time, as the Liverpudlian takes on Justin Gaethje the main event.
But as “Paddy The Baddy” and Gaethje clash, there is more on the line than just the interim lightweight title.
The winner of tonight’s main event should be next for regular champion Ilia Topuria, Pimblett’s bitter rival, who is currently taking a break from MMA for personal reasons. Pimblett could therefore set up one of the biggest fights in the sport, or Gaethje could become a two-time interim champ, to go along with his status as one of the most-exciting athletes in UFC history.
While Gaethje, 37, has twice failed to win the undisputed title and is in the last-chance saloon this year, Pimblett, 31, is a newcomer to lights as bright as these. Yet he has continued to defy his doubters in staying unbeaten in the UFC, and he saw off a former MMA champion last time out by stopping Michael Chandler.
UFC 324 live: Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong
04:36 , Alex PattleSean O’Malley def. Song Yadong via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
A big win for O’Malley, one which may get him back in a title fight!
Meanwhile, it’s an agonising loss for Song, who slips away from the title picture again.
UFC 324 live: Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong
04:32 , Alex PattleRound three
This round could be decisive...
O’Malley’s right leg can’t be that beaten up, because he’s purposely standing southpaw with his weight on it.
Left hands are starting to get through for O’Malley as he stands southpaw.
Another cross lands, this time from orthodox, and Song is bleeding around the mouth.
Song shoots for a single-leg but is shaken off, then he eats a knee! O’Malley with much-better precision in this round.
We go to the scorecards. Round one was the closest, and may decide this fight.
UFC 324 live: Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong
04:02 , Alex PattleSo, in tonight’s co-main event, Kayla Harrison was due to defend her bantamweight belt against former champion and ex-teammate Amanda Nunes.
However, an injured Harrison was ruled out of the super-fight last week, before undergoing successful neck surgery.
As a result, Nunes’s return from retirement must wait, and Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong was bumped up the card.
That’s the new co-main event, as former bantamweight champ “Suga’ Sean” aims to get back to winning ways against a dangerous foe. And there’s been a controversial build to this one:
Sean O’Malley apologises after racism accusation from UFC 324 opponent Song Yadong
UFC 324 live: Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Derrick Lewis
03:53 , Alex PattleRound two
Waldo cracks Lewis with a right hand then slams a knee to the body of the veteran.
Clean jabs by Waldo now, too. Lewis almost catches the Dominican with a left hook while the latter leans back.
Good head movement by Waldo, then Lewis slips and falls to his backside...
He turtles up and eats a barrage of ground and pound, and it’s all over!!
Wow, what an odd ending.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Derrick Lewis via second-round TKO (3:14, ground and pound)
UFC 324 live: Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva
02:52 , Alex PattleWe said Silva is an emotional guy, and he started crying as soon as the final buzzer sounded.
Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Poor scoring from the first judge, but a fair win for Silva! He did the cleaner work in the final round, and it proved decisive.
We said Silva is an emotional guy, and he started crying as soon as the final buzzer sounded.
