Paddy Pimblett spoke publicly for the first time after his defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, addressing the outcome of the highly anticipated interim lightweight championship fight. The bout, held as the main event of UFC 324, saw Gaethje secure a unanimous decision victory, positioning him for a title unification match against Ilia Topuria upon his return from a short break. Pimblett offered a measured response to the loss, acknowledging its significance for the lightweight division and contemplating the lessons learned from the encounter.
Fighting for the interim title, both athletes put on an intense performance that earned each a Fight of the Night bonus for their efforts. Pimblett recognized Gaethje’s top form during the contest and expressed a desire for a rematch before Gaethje’s career comes to an end.
Hats off to [Gaethje]. I hope he wins the undisputed [lightweight] title off Ilia [Topuria],
Pimblett said.
Even though I don’t think he’s got too many fights left, hopefully we can run it back in the future because there’s a couple things in that fight that [expletive] me off.
Despite his frustrations over certain aspects of the fight, Pimblett remains hopeful about facing Gaethje again, emphasizing his eagerness to improve and address mistakes made during their matchup.
We get on with it, it’s done now. Nothing we can do or go back and change. I just hope in the future he can step up and have a rematch with me.
Health Update From Paddy Pimblett Following UFC 324
After the intense battle with Gaethje, Pimblett also shared an update regarding his physical condition. He endured a series of heavy strikes and suffered from multiple eye pokes—an illegal move that has raised concerns in the MMA community due to its frequency and potential dangers.
While the eye contact left him with scratched corneas, Pimblett reassured fans that he remains in good health overall and is recovering well from the fight’s physical toll.
I’ve got a little bruising. The only thing wrong with me is my eyeballs from the fingernails scratching my eyeballs,
Pimblett revealed.
We get on with it, I’ve had a nice week of chilling.
Looking ahead, Pimblett confirmed his intention to return to training quickly and compete again during the summer months, dismissing rumors that he might need an extended layoff.
There’s nothing wrong with me. The only thing wrong with me is I’ve got a scratched cornea, but I’ll be back in the gym tomorrow and back training,
Pimblett stated.
People think I’ve got to take the rest of the year off. I’m not, I’ll be fighting in the summer.
Pimblett Sets Sights on Potential Bout with Dan Hooker
Among several possible opponents upon his return to the Octagon, Paddy Pimblett has directed his attention toward Dan Hooker, signaling interest in a fight between the two rivals. Their mutual animosity has been evident through their exchanges on social media and in interviews, adding fuel to speculation about a forthcoming matchup.
Following Hooker’s recent TKO loss to Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 325, Pimblett expressed satisfaction at the outcome, further highlighting the tension between them. His comments hinted at a personal rivalry that could shape his next appearance.
Nice to see Dan [Hooker] get TKO’d after the [expletive] he was chatting. He probably enjoyed me losing last week,
Pimblett commented.
That was probably a generational hate watch for him. I never got finished though.
