Max Holloway calls Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje a coin toss ahead of UFC 324 interim lightweight title fight

The UFC 324 main event will decide the interim lightweight champion on Saturday night. Former interim titleholder Justin Gaethje will face No. 5 ranked contender Paddy Pimblett. The bout headlines the first UFC pay-per-view card of 2026 and has drawn massive attention from fans and fighters alike.

Former featherweight champion and BMF titleholder Max Holloway has shared his thoughts on the matchup. Holloway believes the fight is evenly balanced. He feels both fighters have clear ways to win. According to him, the outcome may come down to who handles damage better on the night. That uncertainty, he says, is what makes the fight so exciting.

Max Holloway sees clear paths for both Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje

Max Holloway explained on his YouTube channel that he expects an entertaining and competitive fight. He said he could realistically imagine either Paddy Pimblett or Justin Gaethje getting their hand raised. From his point of view, there is no clear favorite because both men bring serious weapons into the cage.

He pointed out that Pimblett often absorbs shots in his fights. Holloway questioned whether Pimblett can handle the kind of damage Gaethje is known for. He noted that Pimblett has shown toughness before, taking clean hits and continuing to move forward. The key question, in Holloway’s view, is whether Pimblett can withstand Gaethje’s power for long periods.

Holloway also discussed a possible path to victory for Pimblett. He suggested that if Pimblett can absorb the early pressure, he might be able to hurt Gaethje. From there, Pimblett could scramble, take the back, and look for a submission. Holloway compared this scenario to previous fights where Gaethje was caught during chaotic exchanges.

At the same time, Holloway praised Pimblett’s overall skill set. He said Pimblett has proven himself against strong wrestlers and grapplers. He is willing to strike, grapple, or wrestle without hesitation. However, Holloway raised concerns about how long Pimblett’s forward pressure can last against someone as powerful as Gaethje.

Holloway emphasized Gaethje’s striking power, describing his punches as extremely heavy and his kicks as brutal. He said the real test will be Pimblett’s reaction when Gaethje lands clean shots.

In the end, Holloway refused to pick a winner. He described the fight as a true coin flip. He believes either fighter could score a knockout or finish the fight late.





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