Paddy Pimblett points to the narrative shift after Justin Gaethje’s big UFC title win
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has discussed the narrative shift he has seen since Justin Gaethje became the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.
On Saturday night at UFC 329, Paddy Pimblett takes on Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event of arguably the biggest card of the year (perhaps outside of the White House). In his most recent outing prior to that, the Liverpudlian went toe to toe with Justin Gaethje, and ‘The Highlight’ was able to pull off the win and claim the interim title.
From there, Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 to win the undisputed belt. Paddy Pimblett, meanwhile, earned a lot of respect from fans for the manner in which he was able to hang in there with Gaethje and never give up.
In a recent interview, Paddy Pimblett stated that he believes the goalposts have been moved as a result of Justin’s success.
Paddy Pimblett discusses Justin Gaethje
“I got wrote off after that,” Pimblett told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s event at T-Mobile Arena. “Everybody said I got beat by him, an old man. Then, he goes and does that to Ilia Topuria, and all of a sudden he’s the best thing since sliced bread. This just shows how the goalposts get moved constantly.”
“… I said that after I fought him. I got more respect losing a fight than I did winning seven in a row in the UFC. It just shows how mad our fanbase is, doesn’t it?”
“With him winning and becoming undisputed champion, it looks good for me. I said that after he beat me. I said he was going to beat Ilia Topuria. I said it was fate that he beat me. It was his destiny. He was going to win the world title at the White House. I was just in the way.” Quotes via MMA Junkie
For Paddy, it’s all about proving that he is deserving of another crack at the gold with some arguing BSD will be the toughest test of his UFC run to date.
