WARNING: This report contains suicidal content.
Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett put in a heartbreaking performance as he lost on points to the American in his fight against interim UFC champion Justin Gaethje in Las Vegas.
The 31-year-old Pimblett was fearless and battled through five action-packed bouts, with both men rocking at the final bell.
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Gaethje looked back at the past with a classic performance, forcing Pimblitt to take his game to the next level and fight fire with fire.
Both men ended up with their arms raised, but the judges correctly awarded the 37-year-old Gaethje the win on all three scorecards.
“Paddy is right, Liverpool are not going to be eliminated,” Gaethje said.
“My coach was definitely upset with me after the first round, but I enjoyed it so much it was really hard to control myself sometimes.
“I knew I had to put him at a disadvantage, he’s very dangerous and has great timing. I had to steal his momentum and confidence.”
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With the victory, Gaethje clinched the interim lightweight title for a second time and will face absentee champion Ilia Topuria once he returns from his personal suspension.
When the scorecards were read, Pimblitt applauded Gaethje, graciously accepting his first loss in the UFC and fourth of his career.
The Englishman was the favorite for this match and showed incredible resilience and courage but was unable to control Gueye’s storm.
“I want to walk away with that belt. I know how strong I am and I don’t have to prove that to anyone,” Pimblett said.
“I thought 48-47 was a fair scorecard. I’m not going to lie, he hit me with a body shot in the first round and that got me. I thought I had won the round before that.
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“As you live, you learn. I am 31 years old and I will come back better.”
Pimblett once again used his postgame interview to shine a light on mental health issues.
“I’ve mentioned man suicide in several of my previous post-game interviews. Two lads I know have committed suicide in the last few months,” Pimblett said.
“Men, speak up and don’t bottle up your emotions.”
Pimblett walks through the Gaijer storm
Gaither captures his second interim title in the UFC, having first won it in 2020 [Getty Images]
Pimblitt showed no signs of nerves that night as he tried to make fighting history for Liverpool as the first UFC titleholder.
He danced inside the Octagon to a raucous crowd who showed their love for him even though he was an away fighter.
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The UFC debuted with a new broadcaster, and it was a sign of Pimblett’s star quality that he was chosen to headline the event alongside Gaethje.
After a tentative opening minute, a frantic battle began that never slowed down.
Gaethje, who has a record of 20 knockouts, knocked Pimblitt to the ground with his right hand and repeatedly succeeded in the game.
Pimblett struggled to escape and responded with a knee to Gaethje.
The American kept his foot on the gas in the second period, with Pimblitt doing his best to keep up with him but finding himself at a disadvantage against an attack trying to survive.
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Huge left and right combinations knocked down Pimblitt in the final seconds, and when the bell rang, he appeared to be on the verge of finishing.
Just when it looked like Pimblitt was on the verge of collapse, he came back strong in the third round.
Blood dripped from his eyes, and with his right hand extended, Gaither took a step back for the first time.
It was almost a chance to turn the tide, only for Pimblitt’s momentum to be halted by a muffled whistle.
After the break, he hit with a left hand, but Gaethje responded with a left hand of his own.
After such an exciting round, Pimblitt found himself on the canvas again in the fourth round with two heavy right hands – but he stood up again.
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Although both men looked increasingly tired, the action didn’t stop, with Pimblett narrowly missing his mark with a spinning fist.
The final round had both teams swinging from the rafters and the crowd rose to its feet in feverish anticipation.
Both men were injured again, but there was no ending for either man as the bell signaled the end of a great exchange.
Pimblitt joins lightweight elite ranks
It’s been 16 years and four days since 15-year-old Pimblett walked into his first MMA gym and told everyone he was going to be a UFC champion.
Everyone within earshot laughed at the kid with the short hair and braces.
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But Pimblitt’s unshakable confidence gave him a shot at the UFC interim lightweight title, and even in defeat, he silenced the doubters.
Gaethje is an elite fighter and the first fighter to hold two interim titles in the UFC and has competed at the top level of the division for eight years.
Pimblett was defeated, but he was not kicked out.
His career was heavily supported by his naysayers because of his charisma and talent.
Pimblitt spent more than £100,000 on tickets, bringing some of his closest allies to Vegas and they left convinced that their heroes could finish at the top of the league.
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