"He won't be physically the same after this fight"- Paddy Pimblett sends huge warning ahead of UFC 324 showdown

| Global Sports Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jan 22, 2026, 08:32 IST

Paddy Pimblett has built a reputation as one of the toughest UFC fighters of this era. He looks to surpass his trademark of being a highly violent and dangerous competitor in the octagon at the expense of fellow tough UFC fighter Justin Gaethje. He himself is synonomous for having some of the fiercest and unforgettable matches in the company

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Ahead of their epic showdown at UFC 324 to determine the interim lightweight champion, Pimblett decided to respond to Gaethje's comment of doing "violent things to him" at the pre-fight news conference. The UFC fighter did not seem intimidated; instead chose to say that he would return the favor and inflict a beatdown on him, as he had never received. Moreover, he even mocked Justin for turning down a fight against him last year in Abu Dhabi.

Pimblett said, "He won't be physically the same after this fight. I will. I will be exactly the same. I'm going to put a beatdown on him like he's never received. I can promise you that. But it was just another fight to me. When a contract with a name gets sent to me, I sign it. I don't turn down no fight. I step up, and I fight the person whose name is on the contract. I thought I was going to fight Justin in October in Abu Dhabi, but I think he turned it down. Now, there's a belt on the line. He's taken the fight."

Paddy Pimblett claims it is the UFC fighters' job to hurt each other

In the same interview, Paddy Pimblett made it clear that UFC fighters are supposed to hurt each other, when Justin Gaethje said that he would inflict major damage on him in their UFC 324 fight. He said, "We're in there to hurt each other. We're not having a pillow fight. We're having a fight. I know I'm going to hurt him. I know I am. If he wants to try and hurt me that's what we're here for. That's the name of the game."
Pimblett is known for his relentless style, spectacular leg kicks, and overwhelming pressure to emerge victorious in UFC bouts. So it came to be expected to be an evenly matched showdown between him and Justin Gaethje. Moreover, it is one of the most talked bout matches as UFC 324 draws closer, taking place on January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. The bout for the title was made after the current champion, Ilia Topuriar, decided to step away for a while due to personal reasons, and it will see a major blockbuster bout for the ages.