Overview
- Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett headline UFC 324 on January 24 in Las Vegas for the interim lightweight title, requiring both to hit the 155-pound championship limit.
- Paddy Pimblett says his cut is “perfect,” noting he began camp at 88 kg and is already more than halfway to 155 pounds after needing to drop about 40 pounds on short notice for his last fight.
- Gaethje says Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway beat him when he was not at his best, citing a bike crash 18 days before the Oliveira bout and mindset issues before the Holloway knockout at UFC 300.
- He frames the bout as part of a late-career plan that includes pursuing the BMF belt, with reports of a Holloway–Oliveira rematch for that title at UFC 326 forty-two days after UFC 324.
- Former opponent Eddie Alvarez advises Gaethje to target Pimblett with repeated calf kicks before leaning on his boxing, and a victory is reported to position the winner for a shot at undisputed champion Ilia Topuria upon his return.