Mar 22, 2025; London, England, United Kingdom; Paddy Pimblett, UFC Lightweight fighter, watches as Jai Herbert (red gloves) fights against Chris Padilla (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

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Paddy Pimblett Dispels Grappling Prediction; Confident In His Ability To Knock Out Justin Gaethje At UFC 323

Fighters love defying expectations and proving doubters wrong with unexpected game plans and performances. Everyone assumes certain stylistic approaches based on past fights and known strengths. Grapplers are expected to wrestle, strikers expected to keep it standing. But the best competitors evolve constantly, adding new weapons to surprise opponents. And Paddy Pimblett aims to showcase exactly that at UFC 324.

Pimblett has built his UFC career primarily through grappling excellence and submission victories. The Liverpudlian secured impressive finishes using his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt skills throughout his promotional run. Most recently, he knocked out Michael Chandler in the third round at UFC 314 in April, showcasing improved striking. Now he is confident in his ability to knock out Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, claiming everyone will be shocked when he stands and trades with one of the division’s most dangerous strikers rather than immediately shooting takedowns.

Paddy Pimblett Shares A Major Prediction

Pimblett faces Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this January. Given Gaethje’s reputation as a hard-hitting striker with impressive wrestling pedigree from his college days, many expect ‘The Highlight’ to push Pimblett into deep waters during standup exchanges. Conventional wisdom says Pimblett should grapple Gaethje immediately, using his superior submission skills to neutralize the American’s power.

But Pimblett has different plans entirely. Speaking with Red Corner MMA, the British fighter made a bold prediction that caught people’s attention. He stated everyone’s going to be shocked because he thinks he will knock Gaethje out. People won’t expect that outcome according to Pimblett, who believes fans assume he will grapple and take Gaethje down immediately.

“Everyone’s going to be shocked because I think I’ll knock him out. People think I’m just gonna grapple and take him down, but I’m not. I don’t see him getting past the third round, just like Chandler.”

😳🥊Paddy Pimblett says he’ll strike with Justin Gaethje and knock him out

"Everyone’s going to be shocked because I think I’ll knock him out. People think I’m just gonna grapple and take him down, but I’m not.

I don’t see him getting past the third round, just like Chandler"… pic.twitter.com/7MJMA3nkcu
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 9, 2025

Pimblett plans to come out and put pressure on Gaethje from the opening bell. He doesn’t see the former BMF champion getting past the third round. That’s remarkable confidence from someone facing arguably the hardest hitter in the lightweight division.

Pimblett’s striking has visibly improved over his UFC tenure, showing more polish and power with each fight. The Chandler knockout proved he can hurt high-level opponents on the feet when opportunities present themselves. But Gaethje represents a completely different challenge than anyone Pimblett has faced standing up. Gaethje has knocked out or hurt virtually every opponent he’s fought, including demolishing Tony Ferguson and engaging in absolute wars with Dustin Poirier.

Pimblett’s confidence could prove prophetic or disastrous depending on execution. Either way, UFC 324 features one of the most intriguing stylistic matchups of early 2026.

(Image Credit: Peter van den Berg – Imagn Images)

Justin Gaethje

Paddy Pimblett

UFC 324

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!