The primary major event of 2026 saw ‘The Highlight’ turn into a two-time UFC interim lightweight champion.
Justin Gaethje admitted that he was surprised by his success against Paddy Pimblett because he wasn’t underestimating the challenge that was in front of him.
The American won a reasonably clear-cut unanimous decision to halt his opponent’s undefeated win streak contained in the Octagon.
Gaethje’s five-round battle with Pimblett has been criticized by a few of their fellow fighters within the aftermath of January 24.
In a recent video, the victor broke down why the matchup didn’t play out how some expected it to.
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Justin Gaethje was in a position to pressure Paddy Pimblett after feeling that he could walk through his kicks
Paddy Pimblett said that he’d strike with Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, which went against where most felt like he’d have a bonus within the fight.
Though he did attempt five takedowns across the duration of the bout, three of which got here in the ultimate round, there wasn’t much urgency from ‘The Baddy’ to implement his grappling.
Gaethje has said that he needed to fight Pimblett aggressively with a purpose to stop his opponent from having the ability to beat him at range.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Demetrious Johnson asked ‘The Highlight’ why he doesn’t grapple more, which he answered by saying that he didn’t have to because he was winning.
‘Mighty Mouse’ then said that he was surprised by Pimblett not shooting for more takedowns, with Gaethje explaining how he was in a position to shut this and one other key weapon down.
“He couldn’t,” Gaethje responded. “How do you shoot while you’re going like this [pushed back] the entire time? I’m just consistently moving this fashion, so how’s he gonna shoot?”
When Johnson’s answer to this was that he would have thrown leg kicks, the interim champion countered with, “Yeah, he was kicking me though but he kicked like a b—- so I used to be like, I can walk through that. Once I figured I could walk through it, then it was money.”
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Justin Gaethje made an adjustment at UFC 324 that determines all of his fights
During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Justin Gaethje explained how the primary minute of each fight results in him making a vital decision.
Many were critical of ‘The Highlight’ fighting more aggressively and somewhat recklessly than he has in a few of his other recent bouts.
He explained that after he realized he wasn’t going to be in peril from the facility coming back at him, he knew that he could take more risks to land damage.
“Instantly, in the primary minute, you understand for those who can take their shots or not take their shots,” Gaethje said. “From that, it’s good to make adjustments. Like with Paddy, I used to be like, I can take these shots all night. I’m going to place myself in punching range and I’m just going to throw with him.”