'I'm a weirdo' - Paddy Pimblett predicts Justin Gaethje to struggle with 'awkward' style in UFC 324 lightweight title fight

React to this story

Paddy Pimblett has warned Justin Gaethje that he is "a weirdo" ahead of their interim lightweight title fight at UFC 324, predicting the American will struggle with his "awkward" style. This bout comes as a result of Ilia Topuria relinquishing the belt to take time out for personal reasons. But Pimblett is already eyeing a fight with Topuria, vowing to "punch his face in" when he returns.

Pimblett: 'When I win this belt, I AM the champ'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Paddy Pimblett has warned Justin Gaethje that he is "not normal" and "a weirdo" ahead of their interim lightweight title fight at UFC 324.

Pimblett of Liverpool will take on American Gaethje in Las Vegas on January 24 after champion Ilia Topuria announced he will not fight in the first quarter of the year because of personal matters.

Pimblett, who is ranked fifth in the UFC’s lightweight rankings - one place behind Gaethje - said he is a "fan" of his 37-year-old opponent, admitting it is "what dreams are made of" to be fighting him.

UFC

How to watch UFC Paris: Hooker v Parnasse on TNT Sports on HBO Max

Yesterday at 10:39

But he is confident of an eighth successive win in the UFC and believes his unique style will cause difficulties for the American.

"I don't wrestle like a normal person does," Pimblett told TNT Sports. "I do everything differently. I'm not normal.

"So he's not going to be able to get a sparring partner that grapples like me or strikes like me because I'm a weirdo. That's the way it is."

Asked about Gaethje describing him as awkward, he replied: "I am. I'm honest about that. I'm very awkward.

'I'll beat him as well!' - Pimblett calls out 'stupid little mushroom' Tsarukyan

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I'm looking forward to fighting him. As I say, he's a legend. He's someone I've always loved watching. So to get the chance to actually get in the cage and fight with him is unbelievable. I can't wait.

"To have Justin Gaethje on my resume is going to be something that will last forever. It'll be part of my legacy, and I'm looking forward to it. I just hope he doesn't retire once I beat him."

Pimblett said he "will keep [the fight] on the feet" despite his grappling skills and Gaethje’s knockout power, taking inspiration from Max Holloway’s knockout victory in 2024.

"There's the blueprint there to beat him," he said. "Max has done it. Everyone underestimates my striking. Everyone thinks I'm just going to come in and I'm going to take him down. And I'm not.

"He had an absolute war with Chandler, and I pieced Chandler up. I know MMA maths doesn't work, but you'll just see come January 24 when we have a perfect game plan, and we finish him within three."

A moment for the ages: Holloway knocks Gaethje out with one second left

Video credit: TNT Sports

Gaethje has said he is not afraid of Pimblett’s grappling skills, saying he has "great numbers when it comes to takedown defence", but he is confident that both fighters staying on their feet would play to his strengths.

Asked where he will take the fight, the American told TNT Sports: "Keep it standing, obviously. But ever since Charles Oliveira took me out, my second loss for a championship, I've been grappling my a** off. I'm not scared to go there.

"I'm not going to go out there and hope to engage in wrestling or grappling, because I think my skills on the feet are obviously better than his.

"I think he might be a little bit more dangerous than me, but skill-wise, I'm better. His aggression and funkiness is something that I'm going to have to figure out, and figure out early."

'I'll punch his face in' - Pimblett eyes Topuria belt on champion's return

Pimblett last fought in April, when he stopped Michael Chandler in the third round at UFC 314 in Miami, earning the biggest win of his career.

But his shot at the interim title comes despite him not beating a fighter inside the current top 10, while there were other contenders above him in the lightweight rankings.

However, the 30-year-old was always confident his time would come. "It's surreal, but it's something that I've always said I was going to end up doing," Pimblett said.

"I always knew I'd main event a card. I always knew that I'd be fighting for belts. So it's vindication to me, really, because I've always said this is going to happen, and now it's finally here. Now it's finally happening."

Highlights: Pimblett stops Chandler in dominant display

Video credit: TNT Sports

Topuria, who won the title after knocking out Charles Oliveira in July, confirmed his break from the sport on social media in November.

"I won't be fighting in the first quarter of next year. I'm going through a difficult moment in my personal life," the Georgian-Spaniard wrote on X.

"I want to focus on my children and resolve this situation as soon as possible."

Pimblett offered his support to Topuria regarding his personal situation, but said he will "punch his face in" when he returns to the ring, while claiming that victory over Gaethje will make him the champion of the lightweight division.

"I know Ilia's gone through a lot of stuff and wish him nothing but the best with it," Pimblett said.

"That's not to do with us fighting. It's not to do with being in the cage. So, all that around his family life, I hope everything goes perfect for him.

"But when he does finally come back and get in the cage, I'm going to punch his face in.

"But for now, when I win this belt, I am the champ. While he's out of the cage, I'm the lightweight champ. That's the way I see it."

Which UFC fights are available on TNT Sports?

TNT Sports will bring you live coverage of every UFC card from across the USA and beyond.

For the latest information on UFC fights on TNT Sports, click here.

Here is a list of confirmed events that are set to be showcased. All events can be re-watched on the streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK, discovery+.

UFC

'Bro, I don't understand' - Makhachev blasts Macahdo Garry approach after UFC 330 win

16/08/2026 at 10:07

UFC

UFC 330 recap - Makhachev out-points Machado Garry to secure record 17th straight UFC victory

16/08/2026 at 09:08