UFC 324: Ilia Topuria Reacts Savagely to Paddy Pimblett Loss

Rather than leaning into his grappling advantage, Pimblett found himself locked into a striking-heavy fight. The action swung back and forth as both fighters landed clean shots and absorbed punishment. Momentum shifted repeatedly, and there was never a stretch where either man fully took control.

As the rounds wore on, the noise inside the building grew louder—not just from the crowd, but from Pimblett’s own corner. The calls were clear: shoot for a takedown, change the fight. It never came. Pimblett stayed on the feet, choosing to trade with one of the most dangerous strikers in the division.

While Pimblett had moments, the fight often felt like he was trying to win Gaethje’s fight instead of forcing his own. None of that takes away from Gaethje’s performance, which was steady, durable, and relentless across the five-round stretch. He met every surge and kept pushing the pace.

After the result, Ilia Topuria didn’t hold back with his reaction.

"Little sausage, the only thing you had to do was beat a 38 year old guy. You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life. You were going to get rich if you won," Topuria said. He then turned his attention to Gaethje: "Justin, all I can say is congratulations… and I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what."

With UFC 324 now in the books, the next move is clear. The result sets the stage for Topuria vs. Gaethje—a matchup driven by timing, momentum, and a public challenge that left little room for interpretation.