'I know how tough I am' - Paddy Pimblett plots comeback after interim lightweight title defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324

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Paddy Pimblett rued his failure to win his interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The 31-year-old had been seen as the favourite by many, but ultimately it was the more experienced American who came out on top. The win means Gaethje is now a two-time holder of the belt.

Highlights: Gaethje wins brutal bout with Pimblett to become new interim lightweight champion

Video credit: TNT Sports

Paddy Pimblett reflected on his losing performance against Justin Gaethje on Saturday at UFC 324, insisting "I don’t need to prove it to anyone."

Pimblett lost by decision against the 37-year-old American veteran, who won the interim lightweight title for a second time in his career.

The 31-year-old Briton had been seen as the favourite by many, but ultimately the older, more experienced competitor claimed the victory.

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Joe Rogan spoke to Pimblett in the Octagon shortly after the defeat, and he was clearly disappointed to have missed out on the interim championship belt, which almost certainly would have led to a shot at the full title.

"I wanted to be walking away with that belt," Pimblett said.

He added that he knew that he had acquitted himself well, despite failing to land the win, saying: "I know how tough I am, anyway. I don’t need to prove it to anyone. I wanted to leave with that belt."

Umar Nurmagomedov targets rematch with Dvalishvili and plots route to title

Video credit: TNT Sports

Pimblett then praised his opponent, and accepted that the scorecard was a fair verdict on the fight, having absorbed a powerful early blow from Gaethje.

He explained: "There's no one I'd rather lose to than the 'Highlight'. Justin Gaethje is someone I've loved watching, growing up watching the UFC. It shows why he's a legend right there.

"I thought 48-47 was a fair scorecard. He hit me with a body shot in the first round. In the solar plexus. It got me. I thought I was winning the first round up ‘til l that point.

"You live and you learn. I'm 31. I'll be back better - it's as simple as that. You haven't seen the last of me."

‘What a special feeling!’ - Gaethje celebrates his win

Gaethje has a 27-5 (20 KOs) record in MMA so far, and the former BMF titleholder will now hope to claim the outright division title in the coming year.

Georgian-Spanish fighter Ilia Topuria is the current division champion, but there is no indication when he will be back in the cage.

In a short answer in the Octagon, he concluded: "I just want to thank the UFC for allowing me to be in this position. It's like my 11th main event. What a special feeling. America baby!"

In the co-main event, former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley got back to winning ways against Song Yadong, winning by decision after three rounds.

His last fight was a submission defeat against Merab Dvalishvili, and in the run-up to his comeback fight, 'Suga' had admitted that the pressure was on for him to deliver a victory to remain a prominent figure in the division.

Elsewhere, Arnold Allen was another losing British fighter, as he was defeated on the scorecards by Jean Silva in a featherweight clash.

Gaethje reflected on his win later in an interview with TNT Sports, saying that the achievement was in part for his family.

He explained: "I'm very proud. I'm proud of how happy my family is. We're chasing a feeling and there's two different ways this goes. When I lose, it's not the same.

"The energy is different. It's different when I win and when I lose, so I'm happy to share this feeling."

He praised Pimblett for his efforts, and predicted he would continue to be a dangerous opponent in the years to come, adding: "Tough son of a b****.

"He never quit, he never stopped trying to win, never stopped trying to hurt me. He did exactly what a UFC fighter is. He's going to be a problem for a lot of people. "

He concluded by looking towards a unification fight with Topuria. Asked if he was ready for a clash on the proposed White House card later this year, Gaethje said: "I think so.

"We'll see. I don't see how it couldn't [happen], unless he's not ready."

Highlights: O'Malley overpowers Yadong

Video credit: TNT Sports

‘Little sausage’ - Topuria tells Pimblett he is ‘screwed no matter what’ after Gaethje defeat

UFC lightweight champion Topuria taunted "little sausage" Pimblett after his defeat on Saturday.

Pimblett had been seen as the favourite going into the clash by many fans, and a win would have focused attention on a unification fight with Topuria, potentially later this year.

After seeing the result, Topuria took to social media to taunt the beaten Liverpudlian, and revelled in seeing Pimblett miss out on what would have been the highest-profile clash of his career so far.

He wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): "Little sausage, the only thing you had to do was beat a 38 year old guy. You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life.

"You were going to get rich if you won. Justin, all I can say is congratulations… and I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what."

Topuria is a former UFC featherweight champion, becoming the first Georgian and Spanish fighter to become a world champion.

He is the franchise's current lightweight champion, and is ranked No. 2 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

After moving up from bantamweight, Topuria took on former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira for the title at UFC 317. He knocked him out in the first round, and is yet to defend his current title.

TNT Sports will bring you live coverage of every UFC card from across the USA and beyond.

For the latest information on UFC fights on TNT Sports, click here.

All events can be re-watched on the streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK, discovery+.

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