Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett official scorecards released as pair scoop new bonus

Justin Gaethje got the better of Paddy Pimblett on all three of the judges’ scorecards – but one found it more difficult to separate the pair.

Gaethje and Pimblett met in a brutal and lung-busting war for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in Las Vegas.

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The looming shadow of a shot at full title-holder Ilia Topuria loomed large over the pair, but the spectacle delivered an all-action barnstormer despite the pressure.

Unfortunately for Pimblett, the chaotic clash saw him touch the canvas three times, but he showed resilience to climb back to his feet and make it the five-round distance.

It saw the event go to the scorecards, and it was Gaethje who got the nod on all three of the judges’ final verdicts.

And now the full cards have been released which show a round-by-round breakdown of how the action was scored.

On all three of the tallies, Pimblett was adjudged to have lost the first two periods, having touched down once in each.

But he reversed the action in the third period on all of the scorecards, wrestling back some momentum after a tricky start.

All three judges, Mike Bell, Derek Cleary and Sal D’Amato, saw the fourth round in Gaethje’s favour as he scored his third and final knockdown.

But it was the fifth round that divided opinion, with Bell going rogue to Cleary and D’Amato and giving Pimblett the fifth and final round.

Although he scored a takedown in the final period, Gaethje did return to his feet quickly.

And although looking fatigued late on, ‘The Highlight’ had landed some booming right hands with regularity.

Significant strike statistics even show the American outlanded the Briton by 29 to 21, so Bell’s verdict came as a surprise to many.

Nonetheless, the Liverpudlian agreed with Bell’s scorecard in his post-fight interview.

Pimblett vs Gaethje clinches bonus

It was an impressive war between the pair, who are now on totally different paths, with Pimblett needing a rebuild before the end of 2026.

Nonetheless the pair earned themselves a lucrative $100,000 bonus for their roles in an epic battle.

It was Gaethje’s tenth bonus of an epic and entertaining career, and it seems inevitable that he will continue to earn them until he retires.

The award was Pimblett’s first, which largely came down to his acceptance of trading with Gaethje, which may have ultimately cost him on the night.

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The 155lbs sluggers were two of four fighters who earned the new $100k bonuses.

Dana White introduced the higher incentives after the UFC signed a $7.7 billion broadcast deal with Paramount+.

Ty Miller and Josh Hokit also scooped the first ever bonuses after impressive stoppage victories on the card.