Paddy Pimblett Reveals Rematch Plan for Justin Gaethje

Paddy Pimblett says if he ever gets a rematch with Justin Gaethje, he won't waste any time trying to prove himself on the feet again.

"Yeah, if I fought him again, I'd shoot in within 10 seconds," Pimblett said on How U Livin J Piven. "I'd love to get that rematch. If I fought him again, I'd shoot in in the first 10 seconds, put him on his back and choke his ass out."

Gaethje beat Pimblett for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in January, then shocked Ilia Topuria to win the undisputed belt at UFC White House in June. Pimblett has since admitted his ego got in the way of smarter strategy against Gaethje and bounced back with a 52-second submission win over Benoit Saint Denis.

Why Pimblett Wants To Grapple From The Opening Bell

Pimblett's finishing resume makes the strategy shift an obvious one. Beyond the quick tap of Saint Denis, he's submitted King Green, Jordan Leavitt and Rodrigo Vargas, and battered Michael Chandler on the ground before that fight was stopped. Standing and trading with Gaethje, one of the hardest hitters in UFC history, is the one approach that didn't work for Pimblett, and he knows it. Going forward with the explicit plan to close distance and get Gaethje down immediately is less a bold prediction than a correction of a known mistake.

Where Pimblett Actually Stands In The Title Picture

Pimblett is realistic about his position behind several other names clamoring for a shot at Gaethje. Topuria, No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski have all floated themselves as potential challengers once Gaethje returns, which Pimblett expects to happen in 2027 at the earliest. He also raised the possibility that Gaethje, who turns 38 in November, simply walks away after capping his career with the White House win. "I don't think he'll even fight again," Pimblett said. "I think he will, but at the same time, I don't know, because he's never going to beat that high of winning the belt at the White House."

Pimblett also addressed his long running feud with Topuria, making clear he'd still rather earn a Gaethje rematch than settle the grudge. "I'd take a rematch with Gaethje before Ilia, because I want to be a world champion," he said. "I hate Ilia, don't get me wrong... Obviously, I'd rather beat Ilia than beat Justin, but Justin's got the belt and that's what we do it for."

Betting Angle

A Gaethje rematch isn't booked, so there's no live line to point to, but the first meeting is instructive for anyone pricing a potential second fight. Books had Gaethje favored in January largely because Pimblett was expected to engage on the feet, and that read proved correct. If Pimblett truly commits to an immediate takedown attempt next time, oddsmakers would have to weigh his grappling credentials against Gaethje's historically strong takedown defense, a factor that could tighten the number compared to the first fight. Until the UFC lines up a rematch, though, this stays a style matchup worth tracking rather than a number worth betting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Paddy Pimblett's plan for a Justin Gaethje rematch?

Paddy Pimblett says he would shoot for a takedown within the first 10 seconds of a rematch with Justin Gaethje, aiming to control him on the ground and finish with a choke rather than stand and trade.

Did Justin Gaethje beat Paddy Pimblett?

Yes, Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett for the interim UFC lightweight title at UFC 324 in January before going on to beat Ilia Topuria for the undisputed title at UFC White House in June.

Would Paddy Pimblett rather fight Gaethje or Ilia Topuria next?

Paddy Pimblett said he would choose a rematch with Justin Gaethje over a grudge match with Ilia Topuria because he wants to become undisputed lightweight champion.