On Saturday night at UFC 324, Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett made his highly anticipated attempt to claim UFC gold in a main event showdown with seasoned veteran Justin Gaethje. The event took place amid mixed opinions on whether Pimblett deserved the title shot, as some questioned if contenders like Arman Tsarukyan were more deserving, while others debated Gaethje’s declining form against the younger Liverpudlian.
Despite the debate, the fight quickly settled any doubts. Gaethje dominated early rounds with multiple knockdowns before Pimblett rallied and engaged in a fierce, back-and-forth exchange. Ultimately, Gaethje’s experience secured him a unanimous decision victory, earning his second interim lightweight belt.
Strong Confidence in Paddy Pimblett Despite Doubts
Many were taken aback by the final result, especially considering pre-fight skepticism about Pimblett’s path to the championship, as he had yet to defeat any top-10 ranked lightweight contender. Nevertheless, betting markets favored Pimblett, making him a -250 favorite before the bout began. This confidence extended to a fan who placed the largest wager ever recorded on an MMA event, wagering $1.3 million on the Liverpudlian to win.
This new record surpassed one held since 2020, when a fan bet $1 million on Amanda Nunes to defeat Felicia Spencer—a wager that ended favorably. However, the $1.3 million stake on Pimblett turned out to be far less fortunate.
Record-Breaking Bet Results in Substantial Loss
Viewers of UFC 324 on Paramount learned that one enthusiast had risked $1.3 million backing Pimblett’s victory. Had Pimblett won, the payout would have been approximately $1.8 million. Instead, the bettor suffered a significant financial setback, losing an amount comparable to Pimblett’s reported earnings for the fight.
Critical Reactions from UFC Champions Following the Fight
The upset victory by Gaethje provoked sharp criticism from fellow fighters. Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria openly reprimanded Pimblett, calling him a ‘little sausage’ for failing to defeat a ‘38-year-old guy’ and pointed out that he lost ‘the biggest paycheck of your life.’ Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev echoed this sentiment, remarking that the lightweight title, which Pimblett received ‘on a platter,’ ultimately ‘turned out to be inedible.’
Implications of Pimblett’s Defeat and Future Prospects
Gaethje’s win reestablishes his status as interim lightweight champion, setting up potential future unification bouts that could reshape the division. Meanwhile, Pimblett’s loss raises questions about his readiness to compete at the highest level and how ranking contenders such as Arman Tsarukyan may now factor into upcoming title contention discussions. The enormous bet lost on Pimblett also highlights the high stakes and unpredictability involved in sports wagering, particularly in mixed martial arts.
