Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett Fight Preview and Breakdown UFC 324
The main event of UFC 324 will see the interim lightweight championship on the line when Justin Gaethje meets Paddy Pimblett in what will likely be a classic style clash: high volume violence versus opportunistic grappling. The matchup is less about “who is better” and more about who can force the fight into their preferred range for the longest stretches.
Tale of the tape and UFC Stats snapshot
| Category | Justin Gaethje | Paddy Pimblett |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 26-5-0 | 23-3-0 |
| Height | 5’11” | 5’10” |
| Reach | 70″ | 73″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| SLpM (sig strikes landed per min) | 6.59 | 5.19 |
| Striking accuracy | 58% | 53% |
| SApM (sig strikes absorbed per min) | 7.18 | 3.14 |
| Striking defense | 51% | 42% |
| TD avg (per 15 min) | 0.10 | 0.96 |
| TD accuracy | 14% | 28% |
| TD defense | 68% | 50% |
| Sub avg (per 15 min) | 0.0 | 1.7 |
Gaethje pressure striking vs Pimblett distance management
Gaethje’s game is built around forward pressure, leg kicks, and forcing exchanges at a pace most lightweights cannot match for too long. His output at 155 is elite (6.59 SLpM), but the tradeoff here is risk, as he absorbs a massive 7.18 SApM, which tells you his fights are often decided by who handles chaos better.
Pimblett is not a low volume fighter by any means (5.19 SLpM), yet his stats read very differently to his opponent at 234: far fewer strikes absorbed (3.14 SApM) and a lower striking defense rate (42%). That combination often shows a fighter who relies on range, timing, and moments rather than extended pocket trades, which could REALLY help him against a pressure engine like Gaethje.
Pimblett grappling and submission threats vs Gaethje’s get ups
The most important stylistic difference is what happens after the clinch. Pimblett attempts far more takedowns (0.96 per 15) and hunts submissions at a high rate (1.7 per 15).
Gaethje’s wrestling credentials are real, but his style in the octagon has been striker-first throughout his UFC career. His takedown average is tiny (0.10 per 15) and his submission average sits at 0.0, meaning his path is typically damage, not control. The key number for Gaethje is his 68% takedown defense, because if he keeps his hips safe and scrambles quickly, he can drag Pimblett back into the kind of fight that favors his cardio: under fire and combination kicking.
Key stylistic differences that decide the interim lightweight title
| Fight phase | Gaethje’s best route | Pimblett’s best route |
|---|---|---|
| Open space | Leg kicks, pressure, long combos to force brawls | Circling, jabbing, countering, level changes off exits |
| Clinch | Dirty boxing to break, then re-enter with volume | Body lock entries, trips, and riding time to slow pace |
| Ground | Immediate stand ups, deny back takes | Back control, front chokes, and scramble submissions |
| Pace | Make it a high tempo fight early | Create “breathers” with grappling and control |
If Gaethje consistently wins the first layer, keeps solid foot position and constant pressure, then he can turn Pimblett’s longer reach into a non factor and make every exchange costly for the Liverpool native.
If Pimblett can turn even a few of those exchanges into clinches and mat time, he can sap Gaethje’s rhythm and force defensive grappling sequences…where one mistake can end the fight.
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