‘I promise you’ – Paddy Pimblett sends violent threat to Justin Gaethje days out from UFC 324 main event

Paddy Pimblett has vowed to ‘put a beatdown’ on Justin Gaethje just days out from UFC 324.

Pimblett fights Gaethje for the interim UFC lightweight title in the main event of the Las Vegas card on Saturday.

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UFC 324 marks Dana White‘s first show of the year and the inaugural event of the promotion’s significant $7.7billion broadcast deal with CBS and Paramount+.

Pimblett has been trusted with the headline slot as the Liverpudlian looks to extend his unbeaten UFC record to 8-0, with current 155lbs king Ilia Topuria firmly in his eyeline.

Topuria is currently out of action, dealing with a personal matter, and the winner of Gaethje vs Pimblett has been promised an undisputed bout with ‘El Matador’.

In the build-up to UFC 324, Gaethje admitted to ‘specifically’ wanting to ‘hurt’ Pimblett as he chases an undisputed title in the final chapter of his MMA career.

Speaking at the UFC 324 media day on Wednesday, ‘The Baddy’ didn’t hold back when he got his chance to respond to Gaethje’s threats with one of his own.

Paddy Pimblett: I promise a beatdown on Justin Gaethje

“We’re in here to hurt each other, we’re not having a pillow fight,” Pimblett explained.

“We’re having a fight, and I know I’m going to hurt him, so if he wants to try and hurt me, he can; that’s what we’re here for.

“It’s the name of the game.”

Pimblett was then asked about Gaethje’s hard-hitting, all-action style, which has earned the American his nickname as ‘The Highlight’.

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The 37-year-old has won 26 of his 31 professional fights, with 73 per cent of his victories coming by way of knockout.

But Pimblett isn’t fazed by the aura his veteran opponent possesses.

“[Gaethje] won’t be physically the same after this fight,” the 31-year-old added.

“I will – I’ll be exactly the same.

“I’m going to put a beatdown on him like he’s never received, and I can promise you that.”

Pimblett hasn’t fought since dismantling Michael Chandler last April and thought he would return in October on the same card where Tom Aspinall‘s bout with Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest.

Gaethje, who outpointed Rafael Fiziev in his last outing, had indicated he only wanted to fight for a title, and reportedly rejected the match-up.

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However, with Topuria spending time away from the sport, the pair are now scheduled to have it out for the interim strap in the main event of UFC 324.

Pimblett has lived by the mantra ‘Scousers don’t get knocked out’ since his promotional debut in 2021.

But Gaethje plans to be the first to shut the Liverpudlian’s lights out inside the Octagon.

“You don’t have to be a doctor to know that if you have a brain, it can get shut off if I just shake it,” Gaethje later said at the media day.

“I’ll show him – if I can shake his head and make his brain touch his skull, he’s going to go to sleep.”

“The only thing that appeals to me right now is knocking the scouser out.

“I’m representing America and that’s what I’m here to do.”

UFC 324’s pre-fight press conference is scheduled for 1am GMT on Friday (5pm PT and 8pm ET Thursday).

All ten fighters on the main card will take centre stage before the ceremonial and official weigh-ins.

The outcome of the main event has left some of the sport’s biggest stars completely divided.