Justin Gaethje wasted no time shutting down Paddy Pimblett's calls for a UFC lightweight title rematch, just days after "Paddy The Baddy" scored a rapid co-main event win at UFC 329. Pimblett thought he catapulted himself back into the title picture, but Gaethje's response was as blunt as a heavy right hook.
Pimblett's Quick Return and Bold Challenge
Paddy Pimblett, after submitting Benoit Saint-Denis in a lightning-fast 52 seconds at UFC 329, was feeling himself. That win was huge, a perfect bounce back from his January loss to Gaethje. Let's not forget, that January fight was a beatdown where Gaethje outpointed "Paddy The Baddy" to snag the interim lightweight belt. Pimblett, who had looked far from title contention after that one-sided loss, put Saint-Denis unconscious with a D'arce choke and suddenly felt like the man. Right there in the cage after his win, Pimblett called out Gaethje, along with Conor McGregor and Max Holloway, declaring, "I'll beat Ilia up, I'll f***ing rematch Justin, I'll fight Conor or Max next. I don't give a f***. Give me anyone and I'll punch their head in." Talk about confidence, especially after watching McGregor suffer an injury just 69 seconds into his fight later that night.Gaethje Laughs Off the "Destined" Rematch
So, how did the champ respond? Not with a challenge back. Not even with a smirk. On The Pat McAfee Show, Gaethje didn't mince words about Pimblett's "destined" rematch talk. "Destined for each other to fight again? No. No, no, no," he said. That's a cold shower for anyone hoping for an immediate run-back. Gaethje, the undisputed champion after an upset stoppage victory over Ilia Topuria at the White House in June, even reacted to Pimblett saying he gained motivation watching Gaethje stop Topuria. "I think it's crazy what my story has done for so many people," Gaethje commented, noting how Rafael Fiziev and even boxer Anthony Joshua have spoken about learning from the primal nature of fighting after seeing his battles. The 37-year-old Gaethje also previously played down an immediate rematch with Topuria, who took his first professional loss at Gaethje's hands.Who's Next for the "Highlight"?
With Gaethje not keen on a rematch with either Pimblett or Topuria, his next move is up in the air, though the UFC will ultimately call the shots. Arman Tsarukyan, ranked No. 2 at lightweight and riding a five-fight win streak, is a serious option. But there's a catch: UFC President Dana White hasn't been shy about the promotion's frustrations with Tsarukyan. The 29-year-old pulled out of a title fight against then-champion Islam Makhachev in January 2025 and even headbutted Dan Hooker at their November weigh-in. Even with his prolific extracurricular grappling, Tsarukyan's activity in the UFC has been a hurdle. The lightweight division is a shark tank, and someone's going to step up for Gaethje's next defense. Who will it be? The UFC has a big decision on their hands.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.