Could Paddy Pimblett truly bounce back from his recent loss to Justin Gaethje, or has his UFC future taken a drastic turn? One unconventional path might just redefine everything.
Standing in the Octagon, clad in the familiar colours of his beloved Liverpool FC, Paddy Pimblett's appearance was a stark contrast to the triumphant reds of his football team. Instead, the crimson hues adorning his face were a testament to a brutal battle, a far cry from the championship status he aspires to.
Pimblett had confidently declared before the fight, "He won't be physically the same after this fight. I will be exactly the same." However, the post-fight reality in Las Vegas painted a different picture. It was Gaethje, victorious, who could wryly remark, "Well, look at your face motherf*****."
Indeed, "Paddy The Baddy's" pre-fight bravado seemed to backfire. Despite being knocked down three times and decisively outpointed, Pimblett displayed an almost unbelievable level of heart and resilience. This tenacity, while admirable, also ensured that a past, perhaps more famous, quote didn't come back to haunt him in this instance.
Back in his chaotic UFC debut in 2021, Pimblett had proclaimed, "I'm a Scouser, we don't get knocked out!" Even then, flirting with disaster, he ultimately overwhelmed his opponent. Following that fight, and in subsequent victories, many observers doubted whether the young Brit would ever reach title contention. Some even questioned the caliber of opponents he faced on his journey to this interim title bout. However, to his credit, there was a discernible and steady progression in his performances against increasingly challenging adversaries.
Furthermore, the notion of the UFC being a pure meritocracy has long been a myth. This isn't to be overly critical; it's simply a pragmatic observation that the UFC, like any major promotion, often strategizes to elevate its biggest stars. And there's no denying that Paddy Pimblett has ascended to that elite status – a fact solidified even in defeat at UFC 324.
But here's where it gets controversial... Pimblett's narrative has often revolved around overcoming doubters and proving people wrong. Yet, against Gaethje, he was the heavy favourite. So, when he was comprehensively beaten, he did prove people wrong, but perhaps not in the way he intended.
Justin Gaethje's reputation as one of the most exciting fighters in UFC history only grew stronger with this performance. Yet, it's worth noting that Gaethje, at 37 years old, was perceived by many as a stylistic mismatch that favoured Pimblett – perhaps the most accessible big name the UFC could have offered him.
Despite this, for the majority of five rounds, Gaethje seemed to land at will on the 31-year-old Pimblett, dropping him multiple times. While Pimblett deserves immense credit for his near-superhuman endurance (even fighting through two eye pokes) and for landing his own shots consistently, the sheer power difference clearly placed him in greater peril.
And this is the part most people miss... Pimblett's strategic approach also raised eyebrows. In an interview with The Independent in December, he stated, "His grappling is his weakness and it’s my strong point, but I’m not coming in to grapple. People think I’m just going to try to take him down immediately, but I’m not; I’m gonna out-strike him and try and knock him out. If it comes down to it, if his chin really is that good, then I’ll take him down."
This was a surprising declaration at the time. While Pimblett has commendably improved his striking, it remains his most vulnerable area offensively and defensively. Conversely, he has established himself as one of the most potent grapplers in the lightweight division. Gaethje, despite his collegiate wrestling background, has largely eschewed grappling in his UFC career, preferring a stand-up, brawling style.
Everything seemed perfectly aligned for Pimblett to implement his grappling prowess, secure a submission victory over the former interim champion, and inflict a similar defeat that Gaethje suffered against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. However, despite clear instructions from his corner, Pimblett made minimal attempts to take Gaethje down.
This decision might be what Pimblett regrets the most: not the significant, potentially fight-altering damage he absorbed, but deviating so drastically from what appeared to be his most straightforward path to victory.
So, what lies ahead for "Paddy The Baddy"?
It's important to revisit the criticism regarding Pimblett's somewhat favourable matchmaking over the past five years. However, he might now require an even more strategic approach.
The spotlight will inevitably shift to the top contenders. Ahead of him in the rankings are former champions Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway, slated for a clash in early March, and Arman Tsarukyan. Not to mention the reigning champion, Ilia Topuria, a fierce rival of Pimblett, with whom a highly anticipated fight was narrowly missed – at least for the foreseeable future. Given the formidable challenges posed by these three, a fight against a lower-ranked opponent might be prudent for Pimblett.
Considering this, his most immediate rival appears to be Dan Hooker. The term "rival" is fitting, given a recent vulgar exchange between them involving Pimblett's mother and Hooker's retaliatory jibe at one of Pimblett's deceased friends. While building a fight on such personal animosity isn't ideal, the UFC might consider it. Crucially, this would be a bout where Pimblett, by sticking to his grappling strengths, would likely be heavily favoured to win.
Other contenders present varying degrees of risk, but amidst these options, a truly "nuclear option" emerges.
Conor McGregor is reportedly eager to make his return to the cage, with the UFC's planned White House event in June a potential target. A bout between Pimblett and the Irish superstar, who hasn't fought in five years, could present a winnable matchup for Pimblett and would undoubtedly be one of the biggest fights the UFC could stage. Such a contest would further amplify Pimblett's star power, potentially overshadowing his current fighting deficiencies. However, it does carry the inherent risk associated with McGregor, who has faced more legal battles than opponents in recent years.
Regardless, Pimblett needs time to recover. UFC President Dana White confirmed that Pimblett was taken to the hospital on Saturday night, even sharing a graphic image of his post-fight condition. The path forward involves rest, recovery, and a strategic rebuilding process. Despite the defeat, Pimblett remained humble, but his message was clear: "You haven’t seen the last of me."
Now, I'm curious to hear your thoughts: Do you believe Pimblett should pursue the McGregor fight, or is it too risky at this stage of his career? Let me know in the comments below!
