Paddy Pimblett receives special message from Liverpool idol Steven Gerrard ahead of UFC title fight

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has voiced his support towards Paddy Pimblett in a heart-warming exchange.

Pimblett will have the full backing of his hometown when he fights Justin Gaethje for the UFC interim lightweight title on Saturday.

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The pair will come to blows in the main event of UFC 324 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Pimblett is undefeated in Dana White‘s promotion since his 2021 debut, having dominated Michael Chandler last time out in Miami to solidify his status as a lightweight title contender.

‘The Baddy’ is full of confidence ahead of his clash with Gaethje, admitting he’s in the best shape of his life as he seeks to extend his undefeated UFC record to 8-0.

The 31-year-old has never lacked motivation on his rise to MMA’s summit, but a message from his idol could pay dividends when it comes to fight night.

Steven Gerrard’s message to Paddy Pimblett

“I just want to wish you the very best for your upcoming fight,” Gerrard, who represented Liverpool for 17 years, captaining the side to a Champions League honour in 2005, said via TNT Sports.

“We’re all rooting for you in the City. We’re all proud of you, mate.

“Go and do what you need to do.”

Gerrard then jokingly issued his own challenge to Pimblett upon his return to Merseyside.

“But more importantly,” the 45-year-old added.

“After you have kicked his a**, I’m going to kick your a** at padel when you come back to Liverpool.

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“Because I believe you’ve been shouting me out for a game… Only joking, mate, good luck, go and do it.

“Honest to God, we can’t wait to watch you and we’re all proud of you.”

Pimblett gladly accepted Gerrard’s proposal for a game of padel.

“I’ve heard he’s good,” Pimblett said.

“He’s definitely better than me; I’ve got worse over the past couple of months, where I’ve been focusing on my fight.”

Reflecting on how much Gerrard’s words mean to him, Pimblett concluded: “We back our own.

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“It’s something that our City’s known for and it’s what we’re amazing at.

“I hate to rob a McGregor quote, but if one goes to war, we all go to war.

“That’s the way it is in Liverpool – we back our own. I’ll be Scouse to the death.”

Pimblett is one of the UFC’s biggest stars and has vowed to become the undisputed champion at 155lbs in 2026.

Victory for ‘The Baddy’ would likely set up a showdown with current UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who remains sidelined due to a personal matter.

While Pimblett insists he’s only getting started in the UFC, Gaethje is widely viewed as being on his final run, having recognised that UFC 324 represents his last realistic route to undisputed gold.

Gaethje held the interim title in 2020 but failed to unify the belt when he fought Khabib Nurmagomedov.

‘The Highlight’ bounced back with a decision win over top-ranked lightweight Rafael Fiziev 10 months ago, following one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history against Max Holloway at UFC 300.

Pimblett has promised to put a ‘beatdown’ on Gaethje and leave him physically different forever.

Gaethje, however, is determined to shatter Pimblett’s dream and his belief that ‘Scousers don’t get knocked out.’

Fans can expect Gaethje and Pimblett to make their walks to the Octagon around 4am GMT on Sunday (11pm ET, 8pm PT Saturday).