Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett fell short in his bid to claim interim UFC gold on Saturday, 25 January 2026, as Justin Gaethje secured a unanimous decision victory after five punishing rounds in Las Vegas. The main event at UFC 324 concluded at 21:28 local time (PT) at the T-Mobile Arena, which was 05:28 GMT in London, bringing an end to Pimblett’s nine-fight unbeaten run in the promotion and handing Gaethje his second interim lightweight title, six years after his first.
Did Paddy Pimblett win at UFC 324? The outcome was decided only at the final bell, with all three judges scoring the contest in favour of the American veteran.
Fought at the T-Mobile Arena, the bout delivered sustained intensity from the opening exchanges to the final round, with Gaethje’s pressure, power and championship experience proving decisive over the full five-round distance. Pimblett absorbed significant damage but remained competitive throughout, with the contest going the full distance and ending in a unanimous points decision rather than a stoppage, The WP Times reports.
High stakes and contrasting paths
The bout brought together two fighters at markedly different stages of their UFC careers. For Paddy Pimblett, 31, it was a first appearance in a UFC title fight and a chance to become Liverpool’s first champion in the organisation, following a nine-fight unbeaten run that had elevated him from prospect to headline act. For Justin Gaethje, 37, the contest represented another opportunity to reinforce his standing among the lightweight elite after more than eight years competing in title bouts, main events and interim championship fights.
The stakes were reflected in the atmosphere inside the arena. Despite competing away from home, Pimblett received vocal support throughout fight week and on the night itself, underlining his growing profile within the promotion. Gaethje, by contrast, entered with the measured composure of a veteran familiar with championship settings, having previously contested multiple five-round fights. What followed was a contest shaped less by technical nuance than by sustained pressure, accumulated damage and control across the full championship distance.
Fight breakdown: how the five-round contest unfolded
The opening round was controlled in pace but heavy in intent. Gaethje immediately looked to establish pressure with low kicks and straight right hands, forcing Pimblett to give ground and work laterally along the perimeter of the octagon. Midway through the round, a clean body shot from Gaethje visibly slowed the Brit and subtly shifted the tempo of the fight.
Round two marked the first clear turning point. Gaethje increased both volume and accuracy, repeatedly finding Pimblett with right hands as the Liverpudlian retreated under sustained pressure. In the closing seconds, a left-right combination dropped Pimblett to the canvas, leaving him close to a stoppage before the bell brought the round to an end.
As the contest appeared to be slipping away, Pimblett responded in the third round. Despite blood streaming from his right eye, he stood his ground and landed several clean punches that forced Gaethje backwards for the first sustained period of the fight. The momentum shift proved brief, however, and was interrupted by a low-blow stoppage that allowed Gaethje to recover and reassert control.
The fourth round returned to a familiar pattern. Gaethje landed the cleaner and more damaging strikes, twice sending Pimblett to the canvas with right hands. On both occasions, Pimblett rose quickly and continued, showing resilience despite visible fatigue and cumulative damage.
By the fifth and final round, both fighters were exhausted. They exchanged strikes in the centre of the octagon to a standing ovation from the crowd, but neither was able to secure a finish. When the final bell sounded after five full rounds, the outcome appeared clear on points.
Did Paddy Pimblett win at UFC 324
The short answer is no. All three judges scored the contest in favour of Justin Gaethje, awarding him a unanimous decision victory after five rounds at UFC 324 in Las Vegas on 25 January 2026. The result ended Paddy Pimblett’s nine-fight unbeaten run in the UFC and confirmed Gaethje as interim lightweight champion for the second time in his career.
The fight went the full championship distance, with Gaethje’s pressure, volume and visible damage proving decisive on the scorecards rather than a late stoppage.
Judges’ verdict and immediate reaction
Both fighters briefly raised their arms as the scorecards were read inside the T-Mobile Arena, but the announcement left little room for dispute. Gaethje was credited with greater consistency across all five rounds, particularly in the second and fourth, where knockdowns and sustained pressure separated the two fighters on points. Speaking immediately after the fight, Gaethje praised Pimblett’s durability and willingness to engage over the full distance.
“Paddy is right — Scousers don’t get knocked out,” Gaethje said (post-fight interview, UFC 324 broadcast, 25 January 2026).
“I knew I had to put him on the back foot. He’s dangerous and well-timed, so I had to take his confidence away” (UFC post-fight coverage, 25 January 2026).
Pimblett’s response in defeat
Pimblett accepted the result with composure, applauding Gaethje as the decision was announced and making no appeal against the judges’ verdict.
“I wanted to be walking away with that belt,” Pimblett said (octagon interview, UFC 324, 25 January 2026).
“I thought 48–47 was fair. He caught me with a body shot early and that changed things, but you live and you learn. I’ll be back” (UFC broadcast interview, 25 January 2026).
In his post-fight remarks, Pimblett again used the platform to address men’s mental health, encouraging supporters to speak openly and seek help when needed — a theme he has repeatedly raised following his UFC bouts (post-fight interview, UFC 324, 25 January 2026).
What the result means for the UFC lightweight division
For Gaethje, the victory delivers a second interim lightweight title, six years after his first. At 37, the American reinforced his status as one of the most durable and consistent contenders of the modern UFC era, having competed at the top of the lightweight rankings for nearly a decade. The win places him in line for a potential title unification scenario once the division’s undisputed championship picture becomes clearer later in 2026.
For Pimblett, the defeat represents a significant setback but not a derailment. Few fighters have absorbed sustained pressure from Gaethje and remained competitive across five rounds. Despite being outscored on the cards, Pimblett demonstrated he can operate at championship pace — a key benchmark for future contention in the UFC lightweight division.
Key fight facts: UFC 324
| Category | Justin Gaethje | Paddy Pimblett |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Win (unanimous decision) | Loss |
| Rounds | Five | Five |
| Interim title | Won | — |
| UFC record impact | Second interim title | First UFC defeat |
| Age at fight | 37 | 31 |
| Event date | 25 January 2026 | 25 January 2026 |
A defining night, even in defeat
Sixteen years ago, Paddy Pimblett walked into his first mixed martial arts gym in Liverpool and told those around him that he would become a UFC champion. That early confidence carried him through regional competition and into the global spotlight, culminating in a five-round interim lightweight title fight at UFC 324.
Although Pimblett fell short of the belt, the contest marked a defining moment in his career. Competing over the full championship distance against an experienced former titleholder, he absorbed sustained pressure and visible damage while remaining competitive throughout. The defeat underlined both the fine margins at the top of the UFC lightweight division and Pimblett’s ability to operate at elite level.
Where to watch UFC events online in the UK
UFC numbered events and Fight Night cards are broadcast live in the UK through official rights holders and streaming platforms.
- TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) – live main cards and prelims
- UFC Fight Pass – early prelims, full replays and fight archive
- Online streaming – available via mobile, desktop and smart TV apps
Typical UK broadcast time:
Main events usually begin between 03:00 and 05:00 GMT, depending on the US venue.
Where to watch UFC in London: sports bars by area
Major UFC events regularly attract large late-night audiences in London, with fight cards often starting in the early hours of the morning UK time. While not every venue screens mixed martial arts as standard, a number of established sports bars and pubs across the capital routinely show UFC main cards, interim title fights and numbered events, either as part of their regular schedule or on request.
The list below highlights reliable venues by London area where fans can watch UFC live, including central locations and neighbourhood pubs. Details include addresses, typical opening hours for fight nights and average spending, helping viewers plan where to watch UFC in London depending on location and budget.
Central London
The Maple Leaf
Address: 41 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7LJ
UFC screenings: Major cards on request
Average spend: £25–£35
Description: Central sports pub with multiple large screens and late-night service on fight weekends.
Sports Bar & Grill Canary Wharf
Address: Crossrail Place, E14 5AR
UFC screenings: Regular live UFC events
Average spend: £30–£40
Description: Large venue with HD screens, table service and reliable late opening hours.
East London
Belushi’s Shoreditch
Address: 45–46 Old Street, EC1V 9AE
UFC screenings: Numbered UFC cards
Average spend: £20–£30
Description: Popular late-night sports bar with international fight fans.
Bar Kick
Address: 127 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE
UFC screenings: Selected events
Average spend: £18–£28
Description: Football-led venue that also screens combat sports on request.
West London
The Famous Three Kings
Address: 171 North End Road, Fulham, W14 9NL
UFC screenings: Major UFC events live
Average spend: £25–£35
Description: One of London’s best-known sports pubs with extensive screen coverage.
South London
The Hope
Address: 1 Belmont Hill, Lewisham, SE13 5AU
UFC screenings: Main cards on request
Average spend: £18–£25
Description: Traditional pub offering quieter UFC screenings outside central London.
North London
The Twelve Pins
Address: 263 Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, N4 2DE
UFC screenings: Selected UFC fight nights
Average spend: £20–£30
Description: Spacious venue suitable for groups, with late licences for major sports events.
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