Paddy Pimblett Faces Gaethje Amid Viral Criticism At UFC 324

In the world of mixed martial arts, few fighters spark as much debate as Paddy Pimblett. The Liverpool native, often known as "The Baddy," has seen his every move dissected by fans and pundits alike. And now, just days before the highly anticipated UFC 324 interim lightweight title bout against Justin Gaethje, Pimblett finds himself at the center of another social media storm. But is public skepticism justified, or could Pimblett be poised for yet another headline-making win?

Pimblett’s shadow boxing practice, filmed during a media workout at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, went viral on January 17, 2026. The video, shared by reporter Helen Yee and quickly racking up over 364,000 views, triggered a wave of criticism. Fans across platforms picked apart his striking, with many questioning whether his hands are championship caliber. "There is a 17 year old kid at my work that does a little bit of boxing training that has infinitely better shadow boxing technique than whatever my eyes just witnessed," one particularly blunt fan remarked online. Another skeptic wrote, "If he doesn’t grapple he’s getting knocked tf out." The tone was clear: many believe Pimblett’s stand-up skills lag behind his ground game.

This isn’t the first time Pimblett’s rise has been met with raised eyebrows. The 28-year-old lightweight has notched three submission victories in the UFC and most recently knocked out Michael Chandler with strikes on the ground back in April 2025. Yet, despite not fighting since that win, Pimblett has climbed from ninth to fifth in the UFC lightweight rankings—a leap that has only fueled more chatter about the legitimacy of his ascent.

Now, with UFC 324 just around the corner—set for January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas—Pimblett is preparing for the biggest fight of his career. He’ll square off against Justin Gaethje, a man with a reputation for violence and a record of 26-5 in MMA (9-5 in the UFC). The stakes? The interim lightweight title and a likely unification bout later this year with reigning champion Ilia Topuria.

Despite the online noise, Pimblett has his share of high-profile supporters. UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, himself a former lightweight title contender, recently threw his weight behind the Englishman. "That’s going to be a fun fight," Volkanovski told TNT Sports. "I’m going to go with Paddy. There’s been a couple of times where I thought Paddy’s had big tests in front of him, and he’s passed them. He’s shown me in his last fight that he can really stick to a game plan, and he’s going to need that with Gaethje. So, I’m going to go with Paddy."

Volkanovski’s endorsement is particularly notable given his own credentials. With a 27-4 professional MMA record (14-3 in the UFC), the Australian champion knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed at the highest level. He admitted to previously doubting Pimblett, but said the Liverpool fighter’s recent performances have changed his mind. "He’s shown me in his last fight that he can really stick to a game plan," Volkanovski emphasized, suggesting that Pimblett’s strategic evolution could be the X-factor against Gaethje.

For Pimblett, the criticism about his striking isn’t new. He’s built his reputation on a dynamic ground game, using slick submissions and relentless pressure to overwhelm opponents. Yet, his knockout of Chandler with ground-and-pound last April hinted at a growing confidence in his hands. Still, the viral shadow boxing video painted a different picture—one of a fighter whose technique, at least in a media setting, left much to be desired. Some fans went so far as to question the legitimacy of the upcoming title fight itself. "That’s ‘championship’ level if I’ve ever seen it. What are we doing here? Neither guy is worthy of the belt at this moment. Justin can barely utter 3 words together. Paddy is cool, but stop. There’s 30 people who could beat him any given moment. He’s not a champ," another commenter wrote, reflecting a broader skepticism about the state of the lightweight division.

Yet, the numbers don’t lie. Pimblett enters UFC 324 with an undefeated UFC record of 7-0 and an overall professional mark of 23-3. Gaethje, for his part, brings a wealth of experience and knockout power, making this matchup one of the most intriguing stylistic clashes in recent memory. Both men are known for their aggression—Pimblett’s relentless grappling versus Gaethje’s signature leg kicks and brawling style. If Pimblett truly intends to "keep the fight on the feet," as he’s claimed in pre-fight interviews, fans could be in for a wild ride. Will Pimblett’s striking hold up under Gaethje’s pressure? Or will the doubters be proven right?

The outcome of UFC 324 carries massive implications for the lightweight division. The winner is expected to face Ilia Topuria in a title unification bout later in 2026—a matchup that would pit Pimblett’s brash charisma or Gaethje’s blue-collar grit against the reigning champion’s technical mastery. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the scrutiny on every move made by both men is only intensifying as fight night approaches.

Meanwhile, the UFC landscape continues to shift. Volkanovski, who will headline UFC 325 against Diego Lopes in Sydney just a week after UFC 324, has set aside his own lightweight ambitions for now. But with Pimblett’s star rising and the division in flux, it’s anyone’s guess who could emerge as the next challenger down the line. For now, though, all eyes are on Las Vegas and the impending showdown between Pimblett and Gaethje.

As the countdown to UFC 324 ticks away, the debate rages on. Is Pimblett’s striking truly as poor as the viral video suggests, or are fans reading too much into a few seconds of shadow boxing? Can Gaethje capitalize on any perceived weaknesses, or will Pimblett’s confidence and adaptability carry him to interim gold? One thing’s for certain: with the interim lightweight title on the line and a unification bout looming, the stakes have never been higher for both men.

With just days to go before the cage door closes at T-Mobile Arena, the MMA world waits with bated breath. Will Pimblett silence his doubters and prove his critics wrong, or will Gaethje’s experience and power prevail? The answer will come soon enough, but for now, the anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a thrilling chapter in UFC history.