The first UFC PPV of the year takes place this weekend, with British star Paddy Pimblett to face Justin Gaethje in the main event.
The pair will battle it out for the UFC’s interim lightweight title after champion Ilia Topuria announced that he would not be fighting for the foreseeable future due to personal reasons.
Pimblett comes into this fight on the back of his biggest win to date — a third-round knockout win against Michael Chandler — and he has his sights set on Topuria if he can get the win in Las Vegas.
UFC 324: Gaethje vs Pimblett | SUN 25 JAN 1PM AEDT | Justin Gaethje faces Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Pimblett and Gaethje faced off on Saturday morning (AEDT) for the final time before their fight at the official weigh-in.
Pimblett asked Gaethje: “How did the weight cut go?” When the American responded with “great”, Pimblett bluntly suggested it “didn’t look like it”. They shook hands, but Gaethje told Pimblett: “Don’t worry about nothing but fighting.”
Pimblett was fired up in his final pre-fight interview.
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“As I’ve been saying this whole time, Justin Gaethje is a legend and I’m going to come out and I’m going to finish him,” he told the crowd gathered at T-Mobile Arena.
“You know that I’m going to add another legend to my resume and take this interim title back home to Liverpool, England.”
A more circumspect Gaethje declared “this is the biggest fight of my life”.
“I cannot wait to carry the stars and stripes on my back and represent this country like it should be represented,” he said.
Ex-bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley aims to edge closer to another shot at the title as he faces Song Yadong in the co-main.
Among the heavy hitters on the card are Derrick Lewis, Jean Silva, and Deiveson Figueiredo. Then you’ve got top contenders Umar Nurmagomedov and Natalia Silva rounding out the stacked card.
“I’m going to put a beating on him!” | 00:32
PEREZ’S NASTY BLOW LEAVES OPPONENT STUNNED
Alex Perez delivered a statement performance in his flyweight bout against Charles Johnson, with the latter continuing to fight even after the referee stopped the clash.
Perez threw a huge left hook, catching Johnson’s jaw as he fell flat onto the canvas in ugly fashion.
In bizarre fashion, Johnson crawled over to Perez who was celebrating by climbing the cage and grabbed his leg, attempting a grapple as the referee waved him off.
“Johnson doesn’t realise the fight is over,” Jon Anik said.
“That’s a huge result for Alex.”
Joe Rogan was certain the fight would have got ugly if it wasn’t ended.
“That’s a good stoppage, he didn’t realise he was gone,” Rogan said.
“If he didn’t stop it, Perez would have landed big bombs.”
GAETHJE vs PIMBLETT FIGHT DATE, START TIME
Gaethje vs Pimblett will take place on Sunday January 25 (AEDT) at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.
The main card will begin at 1pm (AEDT).
Gaethje and Pimblett are set to make their cagewalks at 3.25pm (AEDT), however the timings are subject to change.
HOW TO WATCH GAETHJE vs PIMBLETT
Aussie fight fans can catch all the action for UFC 324 LIVE on Main Event via Kayo.
Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.
Foxsports.com.au will also be running a live blog of the event.
GAETHJE vs PIMBLETT FIGHT CARD
Main Card
Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett (Lightweight)
Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong (Bantamweight)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Derrick Lewis (Heavyweight)
Natalia Silva vs Rose Namajunas (Women’s flyweight)
Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva (Featherweight)
Can OMalley make it back to the title? | 09:37
Prelims
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo (Bantamweight)
Ateba Gautier vs Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)
Nikita Krylov vs Modestas Bukauskas (Light heavyweight)
Alex Perez vs Charles Johnson (Flyweight)
Early Prelims
Michael Johnson vs Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight)
Josh Hokit vs Denzel Freeman (Heavyweight)
Adam Fugitt vs Ty Miller (Welterweight)
Note: Cameron Smotherman was due to fight Ricky Turcios in a bantamweight clash, but the fight was cancelled after Smotherman fainted moments after making weight and stepping off the scales.
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