Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett traded heated words ahead of their upcoming clash.
Gaethje and Pimblett are set to meet for the interim lightweight title in the headlining bout of UFC 324 this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The buildup to this matchup had been relatively cordial, with both fighters calmly expressing confidence in their ability to finish one another. That tone changed dramatically at the UFC 324 press conference, where Gaethje and Pimblett erupted into a fiery back-and-forth sparked by “The Highlight” taking offense to the Scouser’s rant about UFC legend Dustin Poirier.
Justin Gaethje Lashes Out After Paddy Pimblett Mocks Dustin Poirier
At Thursday’s UFC 324 pre-fight press conference, Justin Gaethje addressed Paddy Pimblett’s trash talk and admitted that he actually welcomes the noise, saying it motivates him.
However, “The Highlight” made it clear that the line at hearing “The Baddy” criticize fighters with far greater resumes, particularly his longtime rival Dustin Poirier.
I love everything he’s been saying,” Justin Gaethje said. “He definitely sounds overconfident. He’s out here disrespecting legends like Dustin Poirier. I’m going to dog walk this English f*ck on Saturday. Watch.”
For his part, Pimblett admitted he seldom has anything positive to say about “The Diamond,” insisting he was simply giving his blunt assessment of Poirier’s final outing before retirement, a dominant decision loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318 in July 2025.
Dustin’s never got a nice word to say about me,” Pimblett said. “While I was honest and said he looked like sh*t against [Max Holloway], f**king hell. Stop f**king crying. I’m saying Dustin looked like sh*t against Holloway. That was what I said.”
Having been on the wrong end of a devastating buzzer-beater knockout against Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April 2024, Gaethje made it clear he doubts Pimblett would have much more success against the reigning BMF champion.
You would also look like sh*t against Holloway. You won’t be fighting him.”
