Paddy
Pimblett has learned a lot from his loss against Justin
Gaethje.
Pimblett took on Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at
UFC
324 this past January. While Gaethje put a beating on Pimblett,
“The Baddy” showed grit and heart in refusing to go down. Gaethje
eventually earned a unanimous decision win, handing Pimblett his
first
UFC loss. Pimblett believes he learned more from the loss
against Gaethje than he did from his unbeaten seven-fight run in
the UFC. Pimblett is now returning for revenge and hopes to get a
future rematch against Gaethje. While Pimblett respects Gaethje, he
also recalls “The Highlight” poking him in the eye.
Destiny Awaits
“I’m coming back for revenge… Everyone loses, and that’s how you
learn, that’s how you get better,” Pimblett told iFL TV. “I probably learned more from
losing that fight than winning seven other UFC fights. But I will
be back better and stronger. It’s in me destiny that I’m gonna be
world champion of the world. At some point in your career you need
a loss to realize stuff. I think it was that point in my career. I
hope I get the rematch with Gaethje. I’ve got nothing but respect
for him, but he’s just a dirty bastard poking me in the eyes.”
Many didn’t deem Pimblett (23-4) deserving of an interim title
shot, as Arman
Tsarukyan was the clear No.1 contender. While Pimblett is one
of the fastest rising stars in the sport, he is now considerably
further away from the lightweight title picture following the loss
against Gaethje. The Liverpudlian recently said that he is set to
return during the International Fight Week in July. Meanwhile,
Gaethje (27-5) will look to unify the title against the champion
Ilia
Topuria (17-0) on June 14 at the White House.