Lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett headlines Saturday’s UFC 324 fight card in an interim lightweight title bout against former interim champion Justin Gaethje. Pimblett doesn’t just plan on winning, he plans on sending “The Highlight” into retirement.
“If he’s saying he’s going to retire if he loses, then yeah, he’s 100-percent retiring on Saturday,” Pimblett told TMZ Sports.
Pimblett will enter the octagon at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas riding a 9-fight winning streak. “‘That Baddy” hasn’t tasted defeat since 2018. Gaethje expects to take Pimblett into the later rounds and finish him. Of course, Pimblett doesn’t see the fight going that way.
“He’s not going to get to the fourth round. Even if we did, I’m in better shape. I’ve got better cardio than him for the fourth and fifth round,” Pimblett said.
Pimblett believes Gaethje already has one foot out the door and is simply securing another payday.
“I think that is another thing that goes against Justin, he’s not really too bothered about an interim title, is he? He threw it on the floor the last time he won it. I think the only reason he’s too interested in this one is because he’s getting more money,” Pimblett said. “I think Justin has already checked out a little bit to be honest.”
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“Justin’s got a lot of money now. He’s driving around in a Lamborghini Jeep. You know what I mean? So, I think he’s just after one last big payday, but I’m not going to underestimate him. I think everyone underestimates me and I’d never do that to anyone else.”
Pimblett addressed Gaethje directly saying he’s one of his favorite fighters to watch and apologized for being the one to retire him.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry that I’m going to be the one to retire you. If someone would have said that five years ago, Paddy Pimblett is going to retire Justin Gaethje, they would have scoffed at you. But that’s what’s going to happen,” Pimblett said.
“I hope he doesn’t retire. I love watching Justin Gaethje fight. Justin Gaethje is one of my favorite fighters to watch.”
