Paddy Pimblett has revealed he reached the heaviest weight of his career in the aftermath of his loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324. The lightweight contender's disclosure sheds light on the physical and lifestyle toll the defeat took on him.
Paddy Pimblett has opened up about reaching the heaviest weight of his career following his loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, revealing the physical and personal toll the defeat left on him in the weeks after.
Pimblett, 31, entered the fight ranked sixth in the lightweight division and carrying a 23-4 record. The Liverpool native trains out of Next Generation MMA and has built a reputation as one of the more active strikers at 155 pounds, averaging 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. He also shows a submission threat, averaging 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a dimension that sets him apart from many of his lightweight peers. His disclosure points to a difficult aftermath, with the scale reflecting a lifestyle response to the loss rather than any structured post-camp recovery.
Standing across from him at UFC 324 was Gaethje, the reigning lightweight champion, who improved to 28-5 with the victory. The 37-year-old American out of Genesis Training Center is one of the division's most relentless pressure fighters, averaging 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — numbers that rank among the best in the weight class. Gaethje's output and precision made him a punishing opponent, and the result underlined why he holds the title.
Why it matters
- Pimblett dropping to 23-4 and revealing significant post-fight weight gain raises questions about his path back into lightweight title contention
- Gaethje's continued dominance at 37 cements his status as the standard-bearer at 155 pounds
- The physical and mental toll Pimblett described may influence his timeline and preparation heading into his next camp
- A bounce-back performance will be essential for Pimblett to protect his ranking and remain a credible contender
