Justin Gaethje’s Final Mission: ‘The End Is Near’ But He’s Chasing History at UFC 324
LAS VEGAS, 23 January 2026 – Justin Gaethje admits what many fighters refuse to acknowledge—his career is in its twilight phase. But the 37-year-old isn’t ready to walk away. Instead, he’s chasing what he believes could be the most inspirational championship run in UFC history. Speaking ahead of his interim lightweight title clash against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 on January 24, Gaethje showed rare vulnerability about where he stands while simultaneously expressing unwavering hunger for one more title run.
A Veteran’s Last Stand
Gaethje (26-5) will face Pimblett (23-3) for the interim lightweight championship at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday, kicking off the promotion’s new broadcast deal with Paramount+. As he put it during Wednesday’s media day, “I know I’m the most consistent guy, the most exciting guy, and that’s probably why I’m here.”
As for Pimblett’s words, “I certainly take nothing from those comments,” Gaethje stated. “25 minutes in time. Right now, what he’s saying right now does not matter. All that tells me is that hopefully he’s going to be overconfident, and the last thing you can do in this sport is have false confidence. He’d be crazy to think and not know that I’m one of the most dangerous guys he’s ever fought.”
Key Facts: UFC 324 Main Event
| Fighter | Details |
|---|---|
| Event: | UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett |
| Date: | Saturday 24 January 2026 |
| Location: | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Broadcast: | Paramount+ (U.S.), TNT Sports Box Office (UK) |
| Stakes: | Interim UFC Lightweight Championship |
| Justin Gaethje: | 37 years old, 26-5 record, former interim champion |
| Paddy Pimblett: | 31 years old, 23-3 record, undefeated in UFC (7-0) |
Retirement Plans and Fighter Pay Dispute
With more than 30 professional fights under his belt, Gaethje revealed ahead of UFC 324 that he’d ideally like to walk away from MMA in 2027 in order to finally start a family. “I just have the most amazing parents,” Gaethje told Main Event TV. “The unconditional love, the unconditional support that they have given me and shown me through my whole life is something that I wish every child could experience…I don’t have kids, I’ve never been married, I’ve been committed to the game since I left high school in 2007…I want children, but I don’t want children until I can be what my parents were for me.”
However, the veteran’s final run has been overshadowed by a public dispute over fighter pay. Gaethje has called out the UFC in a brutally honest rant ahead of his upcoming title fight, disputing former champion Daniel Cormier’s claim that fighters are “already getting more money” under the new $7.7 billion US broadcast deal with Paramount+.
“I hear Daniel Cormier saying everybody is going to get paid more on this card,” Gaethje said during UFC 324 media day. “I’m not getting one dollar more than I would have if this deal did not happen. To have 14 bonuses and not equal up to a million dollars is not right. It’s not right. It should be a lot more than that and I should have had opportunities to do smarter things with my money but I don’t and I haven’t.”
All-or-Nothing Philosophy
Gaethje has a signature phrase that captures his fighting philosophy better than any pre-fight hype. Asked if he’s already thinking about a potential Ilia Topuria fight after Pimblett, his answer was vintage Gaethje. “I’ve said it before. I don’t ever plan on being alive after the fight. So, if that’s how it ends, that’s how it ends,” Gaethje said.
The former BMF champion enters every bout with total commitment, refusing to look past opponents or plan for what comes next. His complete focus remains on the task at hand, but he’s well aware that Topuria has been publicly offering advice to Pimblett, suggesting the champion would rather face the Liverpool star than “The Highlight.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Justin Gaethje’s professional MMA record?
Justin Gaethje holds a professional MMA record of 26 wins and 5 losses.
Who is Justin Gaethje fighting at UFC 324?
Gaethje is scheduled to face Paddy Pimblett in the main event of UFC 324 for the interim UFC lightweight championship.
When is UFC 324?
UFC 324 is scheduled to take place on Saturday 24 January 2026 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
How can I watch UFC 324 in Australia?
Australian fans can watch UFC 324 live on Paramount+, which will be broadcasting the event under the UFC’s new media rights deal.