Pros react to Justin Gaethje defeating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324

Tonight’s UFC 324 event was headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.

Gaethje (27-5 MMA) was looking to reclaim the promotion‘s interim lightweight title when he collided with Pimblett in this evening’s main event. ‘The Highlight’ was most previously seen in action in March of 2025 at UFC 313, where he defeated Rafael Fiziev by unanimous decision in a ‘Fight of the Night‘ performance. Prior to that triumph, the 37-year-old has suffered a brutal knockout loss at the hands of Max Holloway at UFC 300.

Meanwhile, Paddy Pimblett (23-4 MMA) entered tonight’s headliner sporting an eight-fight winning streak, his most recent victory coming by way of TKO over Michael Chandler at last April’s UFC 314 event. Prior to that win, ‘The Baddy’ was coming off a first-round submission victory over King Green at UFC 304.

Tonight’s interim lightweight title fight proved to be an absolutely thrilling five-round war. Justin Gaethje was able to drop Paddy Pimblett on multiple occasions throughout the 25-minute affair, but was unable to secure a finish. Although bloodied up, ‘The Baddy’ showed a ton of heart while landing some crushing blows of his own. After five-rounds of action, ‘The Highlight’ was awarded a much-deserved unanimous decision victory.

Official UFC 324 Results: Justin Gaethje def. Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46 x2)

Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Gaethje vs. Pimblett’ below:

That’s a hard walk out to follow. #UFC324

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) January 25, 2026

I need a good English translator to translate paddy English to English.

— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) January 25, 2026

Justin coming in wild

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 25, 2026

Paddy is keeping his chin extremely high in the air! #UFC324

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) January 25, 2026

Justin looks tired

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 25, 2026

10-9 Gaethje. Justin is about to shock the world #UFC324 🏆

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) January 25, 2026

Justin dipping his head so much the knee or uppercut gonna hurt him

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 25, 2026

Paddy not used to these dog fights Justin lives in these

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 25, 2026

Take a point on every poke and guys will stop doing it

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 25, 2026

C’mon paddy. Over hand right and take the lead leg

— Leah McCourt (@leahmccourtmma) January 25, 2026

Maybe scousers can’t get knocked out

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 25, 2026

29-28 Gaethje. Paddy has effectively worked his way back into this fight #UFC324

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) January 25, 2026

Paddy is about to lose like 5 yeas of service life After this war

— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) January 25, 2026

I got it 3-1 justin gaethje goin into the final

— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 25, 2026

UFC 324 final
What a fight 👍🔥#UFC324

— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) January 25, 2026

Just a good ole fashion brawl!! @ufc

— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) January 25, 2026

I’m glad to watch both warriors like these 2 . WHAT A WAR! #UFC324

— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) January 25, 2026

Justin has a guaranteed bonus every fight

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 25, 2026

Post-fight reactions to Justin Gaethje defeating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324:

This justin gaethje @ufc is an absolute Animal

— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 25, 2026

welcome to the big leagues Patrick!
1 up for the Legends #UFC324

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 25, 2026

What was brought on a platter turned out to be inedible #ufc324

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) January 25, 2026

Usually your face hurts the day AFTER the fight!! I can almost bet you Paddys face was hurting since round 2!!! What a fight!! #UFC324

— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) January 25, 2026

I think @danawhite should get all 400.000$ and give to these 2 boys at main event . What a WAR ! #UFC324 I don’t remember seeing a madness like that .

— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) January 25, 2026

What did you think of tonight’s main event between ‘The Baddy’ and ‘The Highlight’? Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!