-
Brett OkamotoJan 25, 2026, 12:49 AM ET
- Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: “Chuck and Tito,” which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
LAS VEGAS — Justin Gaethje was already considered one of the most entertaining fighters of all time coming into 2026, but that legend grew Saturday night.
Gaethje (27-5) won the UFC’s interim lightweight championship for the second time at UFC 324 at T-Mobile Arena, defeating Paddy Pimblett (23-4) by unanimous decision in an action-packed main event.
Gaethtje knocked down Pimblett numerous times in multiple rounds, and the judges scored the fight 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47 in favor of Gaethtje.
“That Scouser does not get knocked out,” Gaethje said about Pimblett’s memorable claim that he’s impossible to knock out because he is from Liverpool. “Oh my God. This is a crazy sport, amazing life, and I’m so thankful to share it with you guys.”
Gaethje, 37, won the interim title in 2020 by defeating Tony Ferguson.
Pimblett, 31, suffered his first loss in eight UFC fights. He joined the promotion in 2021.
