Justin Gaethje may be the most reliable bonus-hunter in UFC history, but ahead of UFC 324 he’s hinting at a twist that nobody saw coming. “The Highlight” returns on Jan. 24 with a chance to become a two-time interim lightweight champion and possibly secure a unification shot with Ilia Topuria if he gets through the undefeated Paddy Pimblett.
On paper, Gaethje vs. Pimblett looks like a classic striker–grappler clash. But Gaethje insists he’s far more prepared for the ground threat than fans think.
Speaking on Submission Radio, Gaethje acknowledged the criticism of his past struggles against elite ground fighters, but emphasized that the context is often misunderstood.