Paddy Pimblett didn’t come away with the belt, but he did earn a measure of respect.
The Liverpudlian came up short in his first UFC title bid, taking on Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 324 in Las Vegas.
He didn’t win, but Pimblett made history by becoming the first man to survive all five rounds against Gaethje without being stopped. And while that doesn’t show up in the record books, it’s a sign that Pimblett is improving.
Gaethje dropped him more than once and left him badly battered, but Pimblett still managed to do something no one else has done before him in the UFC – make it to the final bell with ‘The Highlight’ without getting finished.
Pimblett pushes Gaethje to full five rounds for the first time in his career
Before stepping into the Octagon, Pimblett had spoken about wanting to find out what it felt like to go through a real “war” in the UFC.
He might have thought he would finish Gaethje inside the distance, but instead found himself right in the thick of it against one of MMA’s most exciting fighters.
Pimblett didn’t get his hand raised after 25 minutes, but he still walked away from his first title shot with something nobody else had managed before him.
He became the first fighter to take Gaethje through all five rounds. Until that night at UFC 324, ‘The Highlight’ hadn’t fought a full 25 minutes in over 17 years as a professional.
Gaethje did come close once before. Against Max Holloway at UFC 300, he was knocked out just one second shy of making it through all five rounds.
Paddy Pimblett reacts after UFC 324 loss
It was Pimblett’s first loss in the UFC, and while you could see the disappointment on his face, he took a moment to share a respectful message.
Speaking with Joe Rogan inside the Octagon, Pimblett spoke about several people who had passed away since his last fight, including Liam Gittins’ mother. He also continued his support for men’s mental health.
“My friend Liam Gittins’, like my little brother in the gym, Julie Gittins; his mom passed away a couple of months ago and I just want to dedicate that to him,” said Pimblett.
“Also, I’ve mentioned it in my post-fight interviews before, about men killing themselves. Two lads who were known by ours, Scott and Madgie have killed themselves over the past couple of months since I last fought. So again men, speak up, don’t bury your feelings and talk to someone, don’t kill yourself.”
Pimblett finished by dedicating his performance to Liverpool legend Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. Although he admitted that “it’s pointless dedicating it” after not winning.
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