Paddy Pimblett wants Gaethje rematch after UFC 324 loss
Paddy Pimblett wants another crack at Justin Gaethje after dropping a unanimous decision for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in January.
The Liverpool fighter told iFL TV he expects to compete at UFC 329 in July, roughly twelve weeks from now, and believes the loss taught him more than his entire seven-fight UFC win streak. “I’m coming back for revenge,” Pimblett said, as MMA Mania reported. “Everyone loses, and that’s how you learn, that’s how you get better. I probably learned more from losing that fight than winning seven other UFC fights.”
Pimblett calls Gaethje a ‘dirty bastard’ over eye pokes
Pimblett made clear he still harbors resentment over multiple eye pokes Gaethje landed during their back-and-forth war at T-Mobile Arena. “I hope I get the rematch with Gaethje,” he said, per Sherdog. “I’ve got nothing but respect for him, but he’s just a dirty bastard poking me in the eyes.” The Englishman insisted his championship ambitions remain intact despite the setback, saying “it’s in me destiny that I’m gonna be world champion.”
A rematch may not materialize soon. Gaethje faces featherweight champion Ilia Topuria on June 14 at the UFC’s White House event and has suggested retirement if he loses. Pimblett, meanwhile, slipped further from title contention after the loss. Many observers questioned whether he deserved the interim title shot in the first place, with Arman Tsarukyan widely considered the rightful number one contender at lightweight.
Pimblett holds a 23-4 record. Gaethje is 27-5.
Photo by Bandan Mohammed on Unsplash
Original reporting:
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