Justin Gaethje Calls Out Paddy Pimblett's Kicks After UFC 324 Victory

The interim lightweight champion says Pimblett "kicks like a b*tch" in their main event fight.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Justin Gaethje became the interim UFC lightweight champion after defeating Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. In a post-fight interview, Gaethje criticized Pimblett's kicking power, saying "he kicked like a b*tch" and that he was able to walk through Pimblett's strikes. Gaethje is expected to face undisputed champion Ilia Topuria in a title unification bout later this year.

Why it matters

Gaethje's victory over the rising star Pimblett solidifies his status as one of the top lightweights in the UFC. His comments about Pimblett's striking power also provide insight into his fighting strategy and confidence in his own abilities to withstand his opponent's attacks.

The details

Gaethje opted to circle towards Pimblett's power hand during their fight, a tactic that former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson said he would have countered with leg kicks. However, Gaethje felt he could "walk through" Pimblett's kicks, which he described as weak. The win earned Gaethje the interim lightweight title, setting up a future unification bout with champion Ilia Topuria.

  • Gaethje defeated Pimblett at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026.
  • Champion Ilia Topuria announced he would be taking an extended break starting in late 2025, leaving the title vacant.

The players

Justin Gaethje

The newly crowned interim UFC lightweight champion, known for his aggressive fighting style and knockout power.

Paddy Pimblett

A rising star in the UFC lightweight division who was defeated by Gaethje in the UFC 324 main event.

Ilia Topuria

The undisputed UFC lightweight champion who is expected to face Gaethje in a title unification bout later this year.

Demetrious Johnson

A former UFC flyweight champion who provided analysis on Gaethje's fighting strategy against Pimblett.

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What they’re saying

“He was kicking me though, but he kicked like a b*tch. So I was like, I can walk through that. Once I figured I could walk through it, then it was money.”

— Justin Gaethje (MMAWeekly)

“Sometimes in fighting you take those trade-offs where it's like, okay, I'm going to circle into Paddy's power because he can't f*cking hit hard. He can't kick hard.”

— Justin Gaethje (MMAWeekly)

What’s next

Gaethje is expected to face undisputed champion Ilia Topuria in a title unification bout later this year, potentially at the UFC White House event in June.

The takeaway

Gaethje's victory over the rising star Pimblett and his critical comments about his opponent's striking power demonstrate the interim champion's confidence and willingness to employ strategic adjustments to overcome his foes. This sets the stage for a highly anticipated title unification fight between Gaethje and the returning champion Topuria.