Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett delivered one of the most thrilling performances in recent memory at UFC 324. Yet not everyone was left impressed by the UFC's first main event on Paramount.
Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett delivered one of the most thrilling performances in recent memory at UFC 324. Yet not everyone was left impressed by the UFC's first main event on Paramount.
After combining for nearly 650 thrown strikes and 370 landed blows, Gaethje and Pimblett emerged from Saturday's war of attrition with Gaethje capturing his second interim lightweight championship. It was a brutal, bloody affair — a back-and-forth war off attrition that saw the underdog prove he's still an elite contender, and the polarizing Pimblett demonstrate that he's far tougher than many expected.
Perhaps as expected with any fight involving Pimblett, the duo's fellow UFC fighters were left divided by what they watched unfold at UFC 324. Some, such as UFC legend Dustin Poirier, used it as an opportunity to dunk on "The Baddy," while others like Josh Barnett and Matt Brown opined about the at-times sloppy technique employed by both main-eventers. Still, many others simply celebrated Gaethje vs. Pimblett for what it was — a sensational display of heart and will, which set a high bar for 2026's Fight of the Year race.
Check out a sampling of that reaction to UFC 324's main event below.
welcome to the big leagues Patrick!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 25, 2026
1 up for the Legends #UFC324
What was brought on a platter turned out to be inedible #ufc324
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) January 25, 2026
@Justin_Gaethje absolutely legend, my congratulations 👏👏👏
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 25, 2026
What a fight 👏
And don’t forget Justin almost 38 years old.
Wow. That was one of the WORST UFC main events in a while.
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) January 25, 2026
Two capable and dynamic finishers, fighting like like a couple of newbies. Such a terrible display, stretched over 5 awful rounds. This was match for the prelims.#UFC324
UFC 324 final
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) January 25, 2026
What a fight 👍🔥#UFC324
This justin gaethje @ufc is an absolute Animal
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 25, 2026
Usually your face hurts the day AFTER the fight!! I can almost bet you Paddys face was hurting since round 2!!! What a fight!! #UFC324
— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) January 25, 2026
How @PaddyTheBaddy face is gonna look tomorrow after that war!!
— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) January 25, 2026
What a fight!!#ufc324#ufc#mma#fightnight#Martinpic.twitter.com/IAbK29lmOd
That was one of the most entertaining “championship” fights I’ve ever seen but I’ve seen better technique at local shows. No hate! I’m just saying!
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) January 25, 2026
What a fight! What a treat for @paramountplus New fans loading! #UFC324
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) January 25, 2026
Think paddy earned everyone respect 🫡
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) January 25, 2026
That was a car Crash! Congrats Justin! Incredible fight! #UFC324
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) January 25, 2026
What a fight!!! They don’t call JG the Human Highlight for no reason!!! And props to Paddy, tough as they get!!! #UFC324@Justin_Gaethje
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) January 25, 2026
Congratulations to @Justin_Gaethje
— Jiri BJP Prochazka (@jiri_bjp) January 25, 2026
But strong performance from both.
Heavy in movement, big punches, no precise, just pure hard work and keep going through punches.
Sometimes is fight like that and Gaethje is in this much better.
Tough Victory 🙏 https://t.co/MU9ydl7Svt
First main event of 2026 absolutely delivered. We got vintage Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett showed tremendous heart. What a great way to kick things off on Paramount+#UFC324
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) January 25, 2026
I think @danawhite should give the 400.000$ to these 2 boys at main event . What a WAR ! #UFC324 I don’t remember seeing a madness like that .
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) January 25, 2026
Thats whats it’s about Paddy 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) January 25, 2026
What a war #UFC324
— Torrez Finney (@punishertorrez) January 25, 2026
Great fight 👌
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 25, 2026
GAWD NOTHING LIKE A INSANE MAIN EVEN TO REMIND ME HOW MUCH I MISS THIS SHIT. 2026 I’m back to playing punch face 🤗
— Jeff Molina (@jmolina_125) January 25, 2026
The main #ufc324 event is fire!
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) January 25, 2026
What a fun fight for the first UFC on Paramount!!! Gaethje 3-2 and he wins the title!!
— Funky 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@Benaskren) January 25, 2026
Here goes the 100K FOTN bonus.
— Diana Belbiță (@DianaBelbita) January 25, 2026
Paddy and Justin Gaethje deserve it!!!
#UFC324
Paddy tough af, Gaethje hits like a truck. Ilia vs Gaethje , Paddy vs Arman? #UFC324
— Joe Joe Giannetti 💀 (@Giannettimma) January 25, 2026
Such a great main event to kick off the Paramount Era @ufc#UFC324#ParamountUFC
— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) January 25, 2026
Check out complete UFC 324 results, highlights and round-by-round play-by-play here.
Category: General Sports
