Paddy Pimblett predicts two-minute victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 but Michael Bisping warns Liverpudlian not to be 'reckless'
Published 23/01/2026 at 20:33 GMT
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping warned Paddy Pimblett to "be careful" ahead of his UFC 324 lightweight title bout with Justin Gaethje. The 31-year-old Liverpudlian is the favourite to triumph in Las Vegas on Saturday having made weight, but Bisping warned him he cannot "be reckless" with the American able to "catch him". Confident Pimblett said "it's going to be nice" to win.
‘He’s got to be careful’ – Bisping warns Pimblett of ‘reckless’ overconfidence
Video credit: TNT Sports
Former UFC fighter turned TNT Sports pundit Michael Bisping has warned Paddy Pimblett to be careful ahead of his highly-anticipated fight with Justin Gaethje.
The pair square off in the Octagon at UFC 324 on Saturday night in an interim lightweight title fight that has drawn significant attention, live on TNT Sports Box Office.
The pair both made weight, with Pimblett coming in the slightly lighter of the two at 154 lbs (69.8kg) and Gaethje weighing 155 lbs (70.3kg.)
Pimblett comes into the fight as the favourite but Bisping, a one-time UFC middleweight champion, warned him of Gaethje’s strengths.
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‘I can see me knocking him out’ – Pimblett pinpoints key to victory over Gaethje
Video credit: TNT Sports
He said: "If you speak to Paddy, he thinks he can win this fight anywhere.
"He truly believes he can walk him down, he can throw with him, he can strike with him.
"He can hurt him on the feet and, of course, he can submit him on the ground as well. I think he needs to be a little bit careful - it's all well and good being reckless but he could catch him.
"The submission ability of Paddy is second to none, he's one of the best grapplers in the sport right now, I think the key is to find the way to start a grappling adventure - wait for Justin to make a mistake.
"For Justin, it's pretty simple. Back him up, get him against the fence so he's got nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Cut the cage off and just got to town with the strikes. If he does that, it could be a problem for Paddy."
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Pimblett: 'I'm in his head'
Speaking to TNT Sports, Pimblett reckoned he has rattled Gaethje: "He got a bit agitated, didn't he? I think I'm in his head.
"It was only when I was standing up straight that he realised how much bigger I was."
Ahead of the fight, Pimblett cut a relaxed figure and explained he would be having a "chilled one" with family in the build-up.
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Pimblett: 'If I get on top of Gaethje it's going to be over inside two minutes'
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I'll just be chilling with my wife, my sisters, my nephews, my dad, all the team, all my mates are here, some of my mates will stay out until Monday."
Asked about how he'll get the win, Pimblett explained: "Keeping my distance, keeping my range, and then when he tires, try to cause chaos.
"Catching him with a shot and knocking him out, or getting him on the takedown and choking him out.
"When I'm on top of you, I'll smother him. It's going to be over in two minutes.
"It's going to be nice, it's going to happen - there's no two ways about it, the belt is coming home with me."
How to watch UFC 324: Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett
UFC 324: Gaethje vs Pimblett costs £19.99 in the UK and can be watched on discovery+, Sky, EE TV, Prime Video and Virgin Media TV.
You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event.
discovery+ - TNT Sports Box Office events are available to purchase and watch in the discovery+ app – on smart TVs, computer or mobile device, viewers wanting to watch the fight should visit this page and follow instructions to subscribe and then purchase the event – customers will be able to purchase the event from Friday 16 January.
Sky - Customers can purchase TNT Sports Box Office on channel 490 via their remote control or via https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports
Customers in the Republic of Ireland can purchase TNT Sports Box Office via their remote control or via Sky at https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports for €29.99.
Sky Glass/Stream - Customers can purchase the event from 16 January using your Sky remote by selecting the event from the Sports menu.
Customers in the Republic of Ireland can purchase TNT Sports Box Office via their remote control or via Sky at https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports for €29.99.
Sky Glass/Stream - Customers can purchase the event from 16 January using your Sky remote by selecting the event from the Sports menu.
EE TV - Customers can purchase the event via their STB on channel 494.
Prime Video - This TNT Sports Box Office event will be available to buy and watch on Prime Video in the UK. Customers do not need to have any channel or Prime subscription to access. You can find live and upcoming PPV events in the "Live and upcoming events" row on the Prime Video homepage and sports page or by searching for a specific event title.
Virgin Media TV - Customers with a TiVo and/or V6 set-top-box should visit the on demand section and choose live events; customers with a Virgin TV 360 and/or steam set-top-box should go to the pay per view events rail.
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