Justin Gaethje has pushed back against critics who underestimate his grappling, claiming he had the ability to submit Paddy Pimblett. Gaethje argued that his wrestling and submission skills are routinely overlooked by fans and analysts.
Justin Gaethje is making it clear he believes his grappling arsenal goes far deeper than his reputation suggests, stating publicly that he possessed the tools to submit Paddy Pimblett.
The lightweight champion pushed back against what he sees as a persistent blind spot among fans and analysts, arguing that his wrestling and submission skills are consistently undervalued. Gaethje, 37, carries a 28-5 record and holds the lightweight title fighting out of Genesis Training Center. The Arizona native stands five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach and is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. His submission attempts per 15 minutes register at zero in the verified data, making his claim an interesting counterpoint to his documented output.
Pimblett, ranked sixth at lightweight, represents a compelling measuring stick for any grappling conversation. The 31-year-old Liverpudlian trains out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool and owns a 23-4 record. Standing five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach, "The Baddy" generates 5.49 significant strikes per minute and attempts 1.2 submissions per 15 minutes, meaning his own ground-game aggression is well established on the statistical record.
Why it matters
- Gaethje's assertion reframes how the champion wants to be seen beyond his celebrated striking output
- Pimblett sits at sixth in the lightweight rankings, making any matchup between the two a meaningful divisional contest
- The stylistic contrast is notable: Pimblett pursues submissions at a measurable rate while Gaethje's reputation remains built almost entirely on his striking volume and accuracy
- The champion's comments add a new dimension to lightweight title picture discussions heading into the second half of 2026
