Paddy Pimblett's Eye-Opening Re-watch: 'I Know How Jared Gordon Felt'
Paddy Pimblett, the UFC fighter, recently re-watched his first-ever title fight against Justin Gaethje, and it was an eye-opening experience. He took a lot away from it, including lessons and frustrations with his own performance and the referee's decisions. Gaethje won the interim lightweight title via unanimous decision at UFC 324 in January, but Pimblett's re-watch revealed a pivotal moment that could have changed the outcome.
The fight's turning point was a poke in the eye by Gaethje in Round 2, which resulted in a knockdown and a shift in momentum. Pimblett felt that if the referee had deducted a point, the fight could have been called a draw. He expressed his frustration, saying, 'To me, I win [Rounds] 3 and 5. If he got a point taken off like he should have, lad, that’s a draw.'
Pimblett's reaction is not surprising, given his history with controversial decisions. He won a controversial decision over Jared Gordon at UFC 282 in December 2022, sparking fan backlash and claims of a robbed victory for Gordon. Pimblett's recent victories over Tony Ferguson, King Green, and Michael Chandler earned him a shot at Gaethje, but he knew the scorecards wouldn't be in his favor.
Despite the loss, Pimblett's toughness and resilience were on full display. Gaethje praised him as a warrior after the fight, but Pimblett humorously noted, 'Sick when Justin Gaethje is calling you a gangster.'
This re-watch and subsequent reaction highlight the emotional impact of close fights in the UFC and the importance of fair officiating. It's a reminder that sometimes, a single moment can change the course of a fight, and the right decision can make all the difference.
