Paddy Pimblett taken to hospital after UFC 324 defeat
Paddy Pimblett was immediately transported to hospital following his brutal defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in Las Vegas, reports BritPanorama.
The Liverpudlian emerged from the five-round battle with significant facial damage, including severe swelling around his right eye and cuts across his nose and lips.
Blood was pouring from his eye following the fight. UFC president Dana White captured the extent of the injuries when he visited Pimblett in the dressing room, posting an image that highlighted the fighter’s condition.
The photograph revealed the 31-year-old looking barely recognisable, with his face visibly altered by the accumulated trauma. White expressed admiration for Pimblett’s durability: “I did not know Paddy Pimblett had a chin like that until tonight. Yeah, an absolute dogfight and a war and much respect to both guys.”
Gaethje secured the interim lightweight championship through a unanimous decision victory, with two judges scoring the contest 49-46 and the third awarding it 48-47. The American dominated from the outset, nearly finishing the fight in round one after trapping Pimblett against the cage and sending him to the canvas with a thunderous uppercut.
The 37-year-old continued his assault in the second round, flooring the Briton once more, though replays indicated his thumb caught Pimblett’s eye during the knockdown. A third knockdown came in round four as fans wondered how the Merseyside fighter remained standing. Both competitors received $100,000 Fight of the Night bonuses for their efforts, with Gaethje stating, “Scousers do not get knocked out! This is a crazy sport.”
Despite the defeat ending his seven-fight winning streak in the UFC, Pimblett displayed remarkable grace afterward. He told Joe Rogan in the octagon, “I wanted to be walking away with that belt. I know how tough I am and I don’t need to prove that to anyone.” He acknowledged the scoring was reasonable, admitting a body shot to his solar plexus in the opening round had troubled him significantly.
“I thought I was winning the round up to that point,” he reflected. “You live and you learn; I’m 31, I will be back better. You haven’t seen the last of me.”
Pimblett also used his post-fight interview to pay tribute to former Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother, who both died in a car crash in July. He added: “There are a few more things that I wanted to say, although it would have been better if I won. Obviously, I’m a Liverpool fan; there will be loads of Liverpool fans here.”
Pimblett further addressed mental health, sharing that two men he knew had taken their own lives in recent months, urging others to speak up about their feelings.
It’s a poignant reminder of the human stories behind the sport, how the arena can reflect both triumph and tragedy in equally harsh light.
