‘Absolute classic’: UFC’s most violent man stuns in ‘nuts’ title bout for ages

Justin Gaethje has been crowned the UFC’s interim lightweight champion, defeating hype-train Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision in a fight dubbed an “absolute classic”.

The No.4 ranked contender was too much to handle for Pimblett, who had won his last nine fights leading into this heavily-anticipated bout.

The man who is widely considered to be the UFC’s most-violent fighter lived up to his reputation, leaving Pimblett bloody and bruised as he continually walked forward.

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.

“This one is nuts,” Joe Rogan declared, while play-by-play commentator Jon Anik described it as an “absolute classic”.

After current champion Ilia Topuria announced that he would not be fighting for the foreseeable future due to personal reasons, an opportunity arose for both fighters to take the crown.

Now Gaethje could be the man to secure a fight with Topuria once he returns to the sport.

Pimblett, meanwhile, was heavily praised despite the loss, taking an insane amount of punches from one of the sport’s most dangerous men.

“He’s taken so much damage. The fact he’s still standing upright is crazy,” Daniel Cormier said.

While there were a mountain of punches landed in this bout, it was also marred by a handful of accidental eye pokes, with one being missed.

After an initial stoppage, later in the bout Gaethje’s finger got caught in Pimblett’s right eye and what followed was a dangerous right hook.

“That’s crazy because that definitely compromised that eye,” Rogan said.

Regardless, the eye pokes didn’t factor into the final result, with Gaethje praising his opponent after the fight’s completion.

“Scousers do not get knocked out, that scouser does not get knocked out,” he said.

“My god, what a f***ing gangster… it’s a crazy sport and an amazing life.

“My coach was definitely upset at me after the first round, I just love this s*** so much… I knew I had to put him on the back foot. I had to steal his momentum and his confidence.

“Champions move forward and I just showed you why that is a must.”

Pimblett, meanwhile, was dejected after failing in his bid for the title.

“I wanted to be walking away with that belt Joe, I know how tough I am anyway. I don’t need to prove it to anyone,” Pimblett said.

“I wanted to leave with that belt, but there’s no other man I’d rather lose to than ‘The Highlight’… someone I have loved watching growing up.

“It shows why he is a legend right there.

“I’m 31, I will be back better. Youse haven’t seen the last of me.”

The fighter hailing from Liverpool also paid tribute to his friend’s mother, Julie Gittens, who passed away “a couple of months ago” before sending a message about men’s mental health.

Pimblett has long been an advocate for men’s mental health, using his platform to urge those struggling to speak out — and he did so once again.

“I’ve mentioned it in my post-fight interviews before, about men killing themselves. Two lads who I know Scott and Madgie (sic) have killed themselves over the past couple of months since I last fought,” he said.

“Again men, speak up. Don’t bottle your feelings up, talk to someone, don’t kill yourself.”

He also paid tribute to Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre who passed away in a car accident in July last year.

Need to talk to someone? Don’t go it alone. Please reach out for help.

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au

O’MALLEY’S TRIUMPHANT RETURN

Earlier, Sean O’Malley put himself back in title contention with a unanimous decision win over China’s Song Yadong in a brutal bantamweight bought.

The former UFC champion, who sat at No.3 in the rankings coming into this fight, was unable to add to his 13 knockout wins.

O’Malley’s pure striking was on full display though, especially with his left which was prominent in the final round as Yadong did what he could to try and score late.

The commentators believed the fight to be one round apiece going into the last period, before O’Malley went to work to secure the victory with his opponent bleeding profusely.

Speaking after the fight, O’Malley called out current champion Petr Yan, who defeated Merab Dvalishvili in the UFC 323 main event to claim the division title.

“Petr Yan has something that I want. All respect to Merab, he gets the next shot, well deserved,” O’Malley said.