Paddy Pimblett title shot UFC 324: from hype train to interim gold

From Cage Warriors standout to UFC lightning rod

Before Paddy Pimblett title shot UFC 324 was even imaginable, he had already built a cult following in Europe. A former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, he turned pro as a teenager and became a regional star with wild walkouts, fearless grappling and a willingness to take risks that made every fight chaotic.

The UFC signed Pimblett in 2021. He delivered instantly against Luigi Vendramini, surviving early trouble before scoring a first-round knockout and a Performance of the Night bonus. Back-to-back finishes of Rodrigo Vargas and Jordan Leavitt, both by submission, cemented him as a must-watch name rather than just a promotional push.

The first real backlash came with his controversial decision win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282. Many fans and media scored the fight for Gordon, and critics argued that Pimblett’s defense and striking fundamentals were not ready for elite competition. A safer decision win over Tony Ferguson and an explosive submission of Bobby “King” Green, followed by a bloody stoppage of Michael Chandler, gradually shifted that narrative: the hype train was finally backed by top-tier results.

Records and the numbers behind the rise

Statistically, Pimblett enters UFC 324 with the profile of a finisher. The majority of his wins have come inside the distance, and his UFC run is built on high-pace offense rather than point fighting. He typically throws more than he receives, mixes in takedowns aggressively, and hunts for the back or front-choke series once a scramble opens up.

His overall 23–3 record hides two key details. First, he has not lost since 2018, putting together a long unbeaten streak across Cage Warriors and the UFC. Second, his submission success rate is unusually high for a lightweight who also chases striking exchanges. That dual threat is part of why the UFC is comfortable putting him into an interim title fight: he rarely has boring performances and tends to either overwhelm opponents or get dragged into chaos – both good TV.

Style and tactics: chaos with a grappler’s core

Pimblett’s game still starts with grappling. He is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who prioritises back takes, body triangles and opportunistic front-headlock attacks. On the feet, he has shifted from wide, bouncy kicks at featherweight to a more compact boxing approach at lightweight, with flurries into clinch and level-change attempts.

The strengths are obvious: constant pressure, cardio that allows him to push at a high pace, and finishing instincts once hurt or grounded opponents give him openings. The weaknesses are just as clear: his defense in the pocket can be leaky, he sometimes enters exchanges with his chin high, and his eagerness to attack creates counter opportunities for precise strikers.

Against Gaethje, these tendencies are magnified. Gaethje is one of the division’s most dangerous leg-kickers and counter punchers. If Pimblett cannot blend his entries safely – feinting into takedowns and forcing wrestling sequences early – the stand-up could become a punishing test of whether his improved defense is truly elite or still a work in progress.

Why Paddy Pimblett title shot UFC 324 is such a big swing

Paddy Pimblett title shot UFC 324 does more than crown an interim champion. It is also a statement about how the UFC balances rankings with star power. Ilia Topuria, the undisputed lightweight champion, is on a temporary hiatus for personal reasons. Many expected top contender Arman Tsarukyan to step into an interim title slot, but the promotion instead booked Gaethje – an action legend – against Pimblett, the breakout star.

From a sporting perspective, Pimblett is taking a huge leap. Gaethje has fought for UFC gold before, owns wins over multiple champions and is still considered one of the most dangerous fighters in the weight class. From a business perspective, the match-up headlines UFC 324 and launches a new broadcast era, pairing a proven brawler with one of the fastest-growing names in MMA.

For Pimblett, it is also a chance to silence critics who say his rise has been manufactured. Beating a proven elite like Gaethje for the interim strap would instantly change how his previous performances are viewed and add real substance to the spectacle.

What a win or loss means for the lightweight landscape

If Pimblett wins at UFC 324, he becomes interim lightweight champion and sets up a blockbuster unification bout with Topuria when the Spaniard returns. That would give the UFC a ready-made storyline: Europe’s loudest showman against one of its most ruthless technical finishers, with pound-for-pound implications.

A loss to Gaethje does not end his run, but it would change its tone. It would reinforce the idea that he jumped the queue too early and give fuel to contenders who felt overlooked. The UFC could still rebuild him with high-profile co-main events in Europe, but the aura of inevitability would be gone.

Either way, Paddy Pimblett title shot UFC 324 marks the point where he stops being just a “prospect with a push.” From this moment, every performance is judged on championship standards, not just entertainment value and social media metrics.

FAQ: Paddy Pimblett title shot UFC 324

Why did Paddy Pimblett get a title shot at UFC 324?

With champion Ilia Topuria temporarily unavailable, the UFC needed an interim lightweight title fight. Justin Gaethje brings proven elite credentials and action-fight appeal, while Pimblett offers massive fan interest and a long unbeaten streak. The match-up balances sporting stakes with commercial pull.

What is at stake in Paddy Pimblett title shot UFC 324?

The winner becomes interim UFC lightweight champion and is expected to face Topuria next for the undisputed title. For Pimblett specifically, it is also a referendum on whether his rise was based purely on marketing or backed by championship-level skill.

Where and when is Gaethje vs Pimblett taking place?

Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett headlines UFC 324 on 24 January 2026 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.

How does Paddy Pimblett usually win his fights?

Pimblett is a finisher who mixes aggressive grappling with pressure striking. Historically, he has more submission wins than knockouts, but recent UFC performances have shown improved boxing and ground-and-pound as well.