UFC 324: Justin Gaethje Vs. Paddy Pimblett Headline First.

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will be the faces of the UFC on Saturday when the premier organization in mixed-martial arts phases its very first card on Paramount+.


It helps the UFC that both are fan favorites, but based strictly on rankings, it's questionable whether they must headline such an essential event, much less compete for the interim light-weight title.


But a variety of aspects resulted in fourth-ranked challenger Gaethje (26-5) facing No. 5 Pimblett (23-3) at UFC 324. Reigning champ Ilia Topuria has taken a leave of lack for individual reasons, top-ranked opposition Arman Tsarukyan is recovering from a back injury and No. 2 Charles Oliveira and No. 3 Max Holloway are scheduled to eliminate each other at UFC 326 on March 7.


That doesn't mean, however, that Gaethje and Pimblett aren't an intriguing matchup. This might be the final bout for the 37-year-old Gaethje, who battles out of Denver.


"It ´ s been a hell of a trip," Gaethje said. "I ´ m blessed to be provided such big opportunities by the business. This is a huge opportunity to be the primary occasion red (higher-ranked) corner of the very first Paramount card. I know they trust me. They understand I ´ m the most constant guy, the most amazing guy, and that ´ s most likely why I ´ m here.


"He gets in familiar area as the underdog. Pimblett, 31, is a -235 preferred at BetMGM Sportsbook, and Gaethje stated this is the 11th time in 14 such bouts the chances have protested him and it frequently hasn't worked out in his opponent's favor.


FILE - Justin Gaethje, left, commemorates after beating Rafael Fiziev in a UFC 313 mixed martial arts light-weight bout, March 8, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)


It's that championship-level experience, the former lightweight champ said, that should give him an advantage over Pimblett. The fighter out of Liverpool, England, is competing in his very first title bout.


"It ´ s going to be nice to have another legend ´ s name on me resume, "Pimblett said. "It ´ s an honor to share the octagon with him. He ´ s somebody I ´ ve been expecting years and years. He ´ s had a few of the finest battles I ´ ve ever seen in the UFC. That ´ s what we ´ re in this video game for, the individuals you view. You want to ultimately combat them and beat them."


He has been waiting on this moment since walking into a gym at 15 and saying he would one day be a champion. Pimblett said he got booted from the gym that day, however that didn't hinder him.


Though he stated training during the holiday "ruined my Christmas" and he would never ever arrange another January fight, the wait and the work have actually it.


"It's an honor to be the centerpiece of the first Paramount card," Pimblett stated. "It reveals how much the UFC believes me and Justin to put on an excellent fight, and it's world title fight. It would be crazy after 16 years for this to happen, and it's finally here."


Both fighters took popular oral shots at each other, however there doesn't seem to be any specific animosity between them.


"I think he's truly excellent," Gaethje said. "I think this sport is insane. I think anything can occur at any minute."


In the co-main event, third-ranked challenger Sean O'Malley (18-3) of Phoenix deals with No. 5 Song Yadong (22-8-1) of China in a bantamweight fight.


The UFC had actually put its numbered cards on pay-per-view, but the company signed a seven-year handle Paramount in August that now airs those and other events on the subscription-based streaming service. CBS will simulcast some occasions.


AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports


FILE - Michael Chandler, left, and Paddy Pimblett fight during a mixed martial arts battle at UFC 314, April 13, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)