Justin Gaethje emphatically defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision at UFC 324 to claim the interim lightweight belt for the second time.
The 37-year-old demolished Pimblett to earn a shot at the title. The English fighter must now rebuild his damaged reputation. Read on as we analyze what the future holds for each man.
Justin Gaethje Set to Face Ilia Topuria for Lightweight Unification
Gaethje went into the fight with Pimblett desperate to prove that he still belongs in the upper echelon of the lightweight rankings.
The American expertly absorbed Pimblett’s killer jabs, dipping out of range before coming up with explosive bombs in his typical energetic boxing style. While his tendency to dip left him susceptible to uppercuts, he took them in his stride then responded aggressively.
The victory immediately sets him up for a unification bout with Topuria, and the White House showpiece on June 14 could be the perfect opportunity for the pair to trade blows.
Topuria recently took a break from the UFC, but didn’t relinquish his belt. He will be eyeing a scalp against another UFC legend after beating Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira.
He will be the bookmakers’ favorite thanks to his unbelievable combination of skill, grit and knockout power. The sportsbooks featured on comparison platform bettingtop10.com will be inundated with wagers backing El Matador.
However, Gaethje will be desperate to defy the odds. If Gaethje can disrupt Topuria’s clean boxing with his rough style, he may finally get his hands on the main strap.
There is also the possibility of turning to his wrestling background. While Topuria is well-versed in Grecko-Roman wrestling, he has not been pushed to the limits by a wrestler.
Topuria has the upper hand if they stay on their feet. His combinations can drop welterweights. Gaethje’s slow response to Pimblett’s jabs means he may have a tough time against Topuria.
Pimblett to Face Dan Hooker or Arman Tsarukyan
Pimblett’s impressive showing against Michael Chandler inexplicably resulted in him receiving a title shot ahead of more deserving candidates.
He failed to measure up as Gaethje showed him there are different levels in the fight game. The mouthy Liverpudlian was made to pay for his embarrassing bluster before the fight.
Pimblett’s all-out style makes him popular in the UFC. However, he needs to take down a notable name if he is to justify his hype. Arman Tsarukyan could be an option.
Tsarukyan has been in limbo since a back injury prevented him from fighting for the title. He made light work of Dan Hooker in his last bout, further proving himself after ruining the big pay-per-view.
He has verbally attacked Pimblett, criticising him for not deserving the title shot. While he would prefer to face Gaethje or Topuria, there is every possibility the UFC will stage a fight between Tsarukyan and Pimblett.
Tsarukyan is a renowned wrestler who can hold his own against grapplers such as Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev and Charles Oliveira. He would present a difficult test for Pimblett.
Hooker is another potential opponent Pimblett. They have been circling each other for months, trading barbs on social media, and the bad blood feels organic. Stylistically, it is a far cleaner fit.
A proven lightweight gatekeeper with elite striking fundamentals, Hooker has shown durability against the division’s very best. He does not have the suffocating wrestling threat that Tsarukyan possesses.
It’s the right level of risk for PImblett. He gets a respected name, a fan-friendly fight and a chance to prove he belongs near the top without being thrown straight back into a stylistic nightmare.For Hooker, it’s a high-profile bout that could reignite his momentum and place him back in the title conversation with one big performance.Two aggressive, high-volume fighters, crowd energy baked in and real stakes on both sides – from an entertainment standpoint, Hooker versus Pimblett makes plenty of much sense.
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