Paddy Pimblett has expressed real shock that bookmakers have chosen him because the betting favourite over Justin Gaethje for the UFC 324 interim light-weight title battle scheduled for January twenty fourth at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas. The Liverpool native, who has knowledgeable report of 23-3 in his first UFC Championship battle, admitted on this week’s pre-fight press convention that he was caught off guard by the transfer within the odds.
“I do know there are loads of questions surrounding me, however I opened this recreation because the betting favourite and that remained the case going into recreation week,” Pimblett stated.
“I did not suppose I might proceed to be the favourite to win. I believed the chances would flip. However that simply goes to indicate that good individuals picked me, proper? These are the fellows who’re truly placing cash into it. All of the previous guard fighters are selecting Justin as a result of they do not like the following technology coming in and beginning to beat the previous guard. All of the lightweights that I see are retired or on their manner out. We’re all selecting Justin to win simply because it makes us look good if Justin wins.”Once I win and beat him over them, or when a few of them beat him, it modifications the narrative. ”
‘Good individuals selected me’: Paddy Pimblett reacts to betting on favorites over Justin Gaethje
The betting market began Pimblett as a slim favourite at -105, however the line has solidified with main sportsbooks presently inserting the British fighter between -225 and -238 whereas Gaethje is a +185 to +195 underdog. This marks a significant change in notion, as Gaethje entered the promotion in 2017 with an undefeated report of 17-0 and beforehand held the interim UFC light-weight title.
The 37-year-old American has wins over Tony Ferguson, Rafael Fiziev and Dustin Poirier, however comes into this battle after a choice win over Fiziev in March 2025, which some analysts deemed to be much less dominant than earlier performances.
UFC commentator Laura Sanko echoed what many business observers thought concerning the odds, calling the margin “fairly loopy” when the road first appeared. Sanko famous that whereas Pimblett deserves respect, he was shocked by the extensive hole given Gaethje’s expertise and violent hitting type. The veteran’s 20 knockouts and World Collection of Combating Championship pedigree make him essentially the most achieved opponent Pimblett has fought in seven whole fights within the UFC, together with a third-round TKO of Michael Chandler at UFC 314 final April.
The battle will function the primary most important occasion of the UFC’s new broadcast partnership with Paramount+, and would be the first numbered occasion within the U.S. since 2021, when conventional pay-per-view distribution was discontinued. This transformation in platform, coupled with Pimblett’s undefeated promotional report and rising reputation, seems to have affected public sentiment regardless of Gaethje’s established credentials. The previous interim champion has hinted at retirement earlier than he will get an opportunity at this title, including new stakes to the battle with the betting public clearly siding with the following technology over the previous guard.
