Paddy Pimblett identifies 'most likely route to victory' over Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 - 'He's retiring on Saturday'
Updated 22/01/2026 at 16:06 GMT
Paddy Pimblett has vowed to retire Justin Gaethje on Saturday when the pair meet at UFC 324 for the interim lightweight championship - live on TNT Sports Box Office. Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the fight, Pimblett has explored the different ways he can overcome his 37-year-old opponent. 'Paddy the Baddy' hopes that he will be the last fighter Gaethje faces in his incredible career.
‘I can see me knocking him out’ – Pimblett pinpoints key to victory over Gaethje
Video credit: TNT Sports
Paddy Pimblett has outlined what it will take for him to become the interim lightweight champion and has warned that he will retire Justin Gaethje.
Pimblett locks horns with Gaethje in the Octagon for the interim lightweight belt at UFC 324 in Las Vegas on Saturday - live on TNT Sports Box Office.
Current lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has taken a break from the sport due to personal issues, and Pimblett is confident that he will take his chance on the big stage.
"I think I beat him anywhere. Seriously, I think I beat him anywhere," Pimblett told TNT Sports ahead of his upcoming bout with Gaethje.
"I think I beat him on my feet, which people are laughing at me for. I haven't fought since last April - my striking has improved so much in those nine months, just like it had in the eight months that I wasn't fighting between the Bobby Green and Michael Chandler fight.
"I think I can knock him out. I've envisioned knocking him out with so many different shots. A kick, a knee, an elbow, a punch. But obviously, the most likely route to victory is going to be submission, or ground and pound.
"But that's another thing that's making me laugh. People don't think I can take him down.
"I might not even have to take him down - he falls over all the time. He falls over when he throws a left hook, I might not even have to take him down. [Rafael] Fiziev took him down twice. Fiziev's a Muay Thai fighter."
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UFC 324: Pimblett takes on Gaethje on TNT Sports Box Office
Video credit: TNT Sports
Pimblett also knows that Gaethje will do everything possible to avoid being taken down on the canvas, where "the gulf in class is a lot bigger".
"For me, I just don't get it with the big shots, because that's the only way he beats me, is catching me with a big shot," Pimblett said. "I see me outstriking him at range for the whole fight, if it stays on the feet for the whole fight.
"I see me keeping him at range with my kicks, my punches, and then when he steps in close, getting knees and elbows up the middle.
"He dips his head a lot into stuff and I can see me knocking him out with a shot when he dips his head because he does that a lot. I can see me knocking him out with one.
"Not being taken down is going to be his approach, don't end up on the floor. The gulf in class on the floor is a lot bigger than the gulf in class on the feet.
"Everyone thinks it's striker versus grappler, that's all everyone keeps saying. But I've seen him say in interviews that, 'He's no Khabib'. It's like, no, I'm not, I'm Paddy the Baddy. F*** Khabib!"
- 'I'm going to kick your a**' – Gerrard backs Pimblett in UFC showdown and fires padel warning
- 'I love being the underdog' - Gaethje explains when he performs at his best
- All you need to know about Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett before UFC 324
Former lightweight champion Gaethje, who is 37 years old and holds a 26-5-0 record in the UFC, is nearing the end of an outstanding career.
Pimblett feels that he will decide that for the veteran American this weekend.
He concluded: "I'm hoping for the best version of Justin Gaethje, and I'm expecting the best version of Justin Gaethje, because he's saying if this is it, this is it.
"If he loses, he's going to retire. So he's retiring on Saturday."
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Watch: Every finish in Pimblett's meteoric rise to UFC stardom
Video credit: TNT Sports
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.
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