The first UFC event following the promotion’s official partnership with Paramount Plus is in the books—and almost immediately, the UFC’s long-term plan went up in flames.

For years, the organization had been quietly building toward a blockbuster showdown: Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett. Star power, trash talk, global appeal—it was all there. All Pimblett had to do was get past one man.

That man was Justin Gaethje.

Dana White made it clear going into the event: the winner of Pimblett vs. Gaethje would be next in line to face Topuria for the undisputed lightweight title. But behind the scenes, the picture was even clearer. A Pimblett victory would have been marketing gold. The UFC had invested heavily in Paddy’s rise—carefully matched opponents, growing visibility, and a fast track toward superstardom.

Gaethje, unfortunately for those plans, was the wrong obstacle.

At 38 years old, many analysts openly speculated that a loss might even push Gaethje toward retirement. The pressure on him was enormous. But Pimblett’s situation wasn’t much easier. He entered the fight as the betting favorite, despite facing one of the most violent and proven fighters the division has ever seen.

It was a no-win narrative:

If Paddy won, critics would say Gaethje was old and washed.

If Paddy lost, they’d say he was never elite to begin with.

The hate surrounding Pimblett was already intense. One bad night could change everything.

Gaethje Takes Control

That bad night came.

From the opening round, Gaethje made his intentions clear. He pressed forward relentlessly, throwing heavy combinations and backing Pimblett toward the fence. Early in the fight, Gaethje trapped Paddy and unloaded, dropping him hard. It looked dangerously close to a stoppage, but Pimblett survived, scrambled, and somehow made it back to his feet.

Gaethje later admitted he didn’t even realize how badly he had hurt him in that moment—until Pimblett desperately reached for the fence.

The fight settled into brutal exchanges at close and mid-range, exactly where Gaethje thrives. He dropped Pimblett again in the second and fourth rounds. To Paddy’s credit, he showed incredible heart, surviving each knockdown and continuing to push forward. He even stole the third round and attempted a late comeback in the final five minutes.

But the damage had piled up. The energy just wasn’t there anymore.

The Question Everyone Is Asking

After the fight, one question echoed across the MMA world:

Why didn’t Paddy wrestle?

Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson was among those baffled by the game plan. Pimblett clearly had the grappling advantage, yet rarely committed to takedowns. Johnson compared it to trying to fight a bull with punches when you don’t have the power to win that battle.

In short: you don’t beat Justin Gaethje in a firefight unless you’re built for chaos.

Pimblett shot for takedowns only after he was hurt—never when he was fresh. Against someone like Gaethje, that timing matters.

The Result and the Fallout

After five grueling rounds, the judges scored it 48–47, 49–46, and 49–46, awarding Justin Gaethje a unanimous decision victory and the interim lightweight title.

With that, everything changed.

The UFC’s dream scenario collapsed. Pimblett failed his biggest test, and his fast track to superstardom hit a brick wall. Gaethje—the veteran, the chaos maker—once again forced the division to revolve around him.

Now, the most likely next fight is Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria for the undisputed belt. It may not be what the UFC originally wanted, but in MMA, reality always wins.

Respect for Paddy, But No Free Passes

Despite the loss, many fighters praised Pimblett’s toughness. Surviving Gaethje and still having moments of success late in the fight is no small feat. At his age, Paddy has time to rebuild—if he learns the right lessons.

Ilia Topuria, however, showed no sympathy.

He took to social media with brutal honesty, mocking Pimblett for missing out on the biggest payday of his career and congratulating Gaethje while promising destruction no matter who stands across from him.

Fans were disappointed too. Millions wanted Pimblett vs. Topuria. The hype was ready. The moment was there. Paddy just couldn’t seize it.

Gaethje: Still a Legend

Gaethje, for his part, showed zero interest in trash talk. When asked about sending a message to Topuria, he made it clear: that’s his coach’s job. Gaethje controls his emotions, focuses on preparation, and lets violence do the talking.

After suffering a brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway, many thought Gaethje was finished. Instead, he returned looking like the same fearless, dangerous fighter he’s always been.

Win or lose, Justin Gaethje shows up—and nights like this are why he’s respected across the entire sport.

Around the Rest of the Card

Arman Tsarukyan blasted Pimblett online, calling his title opportunity undeserved and congratulating Gaethje for proving what happens when hype meets reality.

Sean O’Malley (via sarcastic posts from Petr Yan) drew mixed reactions after a decision win that failed to silence critics.

Umar Nurmagomedov defeated Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision, but without a finish, likely delayed his title ambitions.

Fans enjoyed a lighthearted backstage moment between Islam Makhachev and Kamaru Usman, a rare and wholesome crossover between champions.

One man took everything.
One man lost more than just a fight.

The lightweight division is complicated again—and that’s exactly how Justin Gaethje likes it.

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