Paddy Pimblett is making no excuses for his loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324.
On Tuesday, Pimblett broke his silence and released a statement addressing the fight because he was immediately sent to a local Las Vegas hospital for medical care after engaging in a five-round war with Gaethje. While the fight didn’t go his way with Pimblett ultimately losing a unanimous decision, the 31-year-old lightweight from Liverpool is taking everything in stride following his first setback in the UFC.
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“Hope everyone enjoyed my fight just as much as I did,” Pimblett wrote on Instagram. “Want to thank everyone that came to support and everyone watching at home. I’m all good, no injuries, went into the fight feeling amazing had a great camp and an easy weight cut. No excuses the better man won on the night. Justin Gaethje, congratulations brother it was an honor to share the cage with such a legend. Go get that undisputed title, your career deserves it.
“Hopefully we can run it back for the undisputed because I still know it’s in my destiny to win that gold! UFC thank you for the opportunity. You’s all know I’ll be back for that belt in the near future.”
Pimblett entered the fight as a heavy favorite to win the interim title with the chance to then move onto fight for the undisputed belt against reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
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While Pimblett certainly had his moments in the fight, he suffered multiple knockdowns with the vast majority of the five-round affair taking place on the feet. Per UFC stats, Pimblett went 0-5 on takedown attempts while Gaethje managed three takedowns, although the grappling exchanges were very brief.
Pimblett technically landed more significant strikes during the 25-minute fight — 155 to 144 — he was dropped to the canvas twice by Gaethje, who was just doing more damage round by round before securing the unanimous decision win.
By the end of the fight, Pimblett was dealing with significant swelling around his eyes as well as cuts suffered during the brutal war against Gaethje. That prompted UFC CEO Dana White to send Pimblett for medical treatment right away rather than allow him to stick around to speak at the post-fight press conference.
The loss dropped Pimblett to 7-1 in the UFC and 23-4 overall in his career.
