Paddy Pimblett takes on his toughest test yet when he faces MMA veteran Justin Gaethje for the interim UFC lightweight title in Las Vegas
Paddy Pimblett will look to pass his toughest test with flying colours tonight when he takes on Justin Gaethje in a mouthwatering lightweight showdown.
There is a lot more at stake for both men after the UFC decided to throw an interim title on the line after undisputed champion Ilia Topuria was forced to take some time away from the octagon due to personal reasons. As well as the chance to secure a money-spinning fight with ‘El Matador,’ the pair are also grappling with something just as big.
UFC 324 marks the promotion’s first numbered event since signing a mega $7.7billion deal with Paramount. With the world watching, both men know they must deliver in Sin City. Pimblett has established himself as a real fan-favourite since making his promotional debut back in 2021.
After claiming wins over the likes of Tony Ferguson and King Green, the ‘Baddy’ put his name on the map with a dominant knockout win over Michael Chandler in his last fighting back in April. Gaethje – with experience on his side – booked his crack at the interim belt with a decision win over Rafael Fiziev. Here are the results for UFC 324…
Early prelims –
- Ty Miller defeated Adam Fugitt via first-round TKO
- Josh Hokit defeated Denzel Freeman via first-round TKO
Prelims –
- Alex Perez defeated Charles Johnson via first-round TKO
- Nikita Krylov defeated Modestas Bukauskas via third-round KO
- Ateba Gautier defeated Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision
- Umar Nurmagomedov defeated Deiveson Figueiredo via unanimous decision
Main card
Jean Silva defeated Arnold Allen via unanimous decision
Coming out to ‘We Will Rock You,’ Allen was certainly eager from the off to put on a display and remind fans why he’s still one of the most feared men on the planet from the off. Arnold controlled proceedings from the off with the leg kicks. The Suffolk native was circling and popping off with the lead jab, as Silva failed to connect until the back end of the round when he wobbled his foe, but it was too little too late as the bell sounded. The action picked up in the second, and while Allen was controlling on the back foot, Silva picked up some momentum and was winning the exchanges in close quarters, landing clean with several combinations. Arguably 1-1 heading into the third, it was the Brazilian who took the fight by the scruff of the neck, mixing his attacks and continuing to land clean, while also mixing in the odd takedown, albeit failing to do some damage on the ground. As advertised, both men put on a great performance, and it was the barking-obsessed Brazilian who got the nod on points.
Natalia Silva vs Rose Namajunas –
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Derrick Lewis –
Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong –
Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett –
