Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett — Fight recap

Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision over five rounds on January 24, 2026, with referee Marc Goddard overseeing the bout. Gaethje's wrestling proved decisive, landing all three takedown attempts while Pimblett failed to convert any of his five attempts, establishing 5:55 of control time against Pimblett's 0:48.

The American struck with precision, connecting on 144 of 254 significant strikes (56%) and scoring two knockdowns, while Pimblett out-landed him in volume with 156 of 311 significant strikes (50%) but lacked the control metrics to sway judges. Gaethje's head strike accuracy was particularly notable at 120 of 222, demonstrating effective targeting despite Pimblett's aggressive output.

The grappling disparity—combined with Gaethje's knockdowns and superior striking efficiency—proved the difference across all three scorecards. The victory solidifies Gaethje's position in the lightweight title picture while raising questions about Pimblett's readiness for elite-level competition.