Tony Ferguson explains why Paddy Pimblett will beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 324

Dec 1, 2025 - 22:15

Tony Ferguson believes Paddy Pimblett’s desire to win his first UFC title will get him over the line against Justin Gaethje.

Ferguson fought Pimblett and Gaethje in his iconic UFC career, and he is picking the younger man to get his arm raised at UFC 324.

Tony Ferguson punches Paddy Pimblett of England in a lightweight fight during the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada — Ferguson suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Pimblett at UFC 296 in December 2023

Tony Ferguson fighting Justin Gaethje — ‘El Cucuy’ tasted his first UFC defeat in eight years to Gaethje in an interim lightweight title bout at UFC 249

UFC CEO Dana White announced last month that Pimblett would face Gaethje in the main event of the promotion’s first numbered event in their new broadcast deal with Paramount+.

Gaethje and Pimblett will headline UFC 324 on January 24 for the interim lightweight title.

The winner will get an undisputed shot against champion Ilia Topuria, who announced last week that he is taking a break from the sport.

Gaethje has already been crowned an interim champion at 155lbs, having stopped Ferguson at UFC 249 in 2020.

Ferguson, whose penultimate UFC bout came against Pimblett, believes that will actually prove a disadvantage for the American when he enters the octagon at UFC 324.

Tony Ferguson: ‘Fresher’ Paddy Pimblett will want it more than Justin Gaethje

“Paddy,” Ferguson, 41, responded on The Ariel Helwani Show when asked who he believes will come out victorious at UFC 324.

“Only because Justin doesn’t want another interim belt… Paddy’s not bad, dude.

“He’s very beatable, and Gaethje is very beatable as well, but when it comes to the passion, man, how exciting Justin Gaethje has always been about not getting that real title shot — they just keep dangling it right there.

“Paddy’s in for a new treat. Paddy’s the one who has never fought for a belt.

“He’s going in there to try and get that, and he’s going to feel a little bit fresher.

Tony Ferguson celebrates with his belt after victory in the Middleweight fight between Tony Ferguson and Nathaniel Bustamante during the Misfits 22 - Ring of Thrones fight night at AO Arena on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England — Ferguson made his professional boxing debut in August under the Misfits Boxing banner

Tony Ferguson punches Nathaniel Bustamant during the Middleweight fight between Tony Ferguson and Nathaniel Bustamante during the Misfits 22 - Ring of Thrones fight night at AO Arena on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England — He became the new MFB pro middleweight champion by stopping Nathaniel Bustamante and is set to make his boxing return on December 20

“He’s going to have that excitement, in my opinion. So if I were going to try and place a bet, I would go with the new kid that’s going in for the new opportunity, rather than the old kid who fought for the belt.

“It’s going to go to Paddy, but best of luck for both of them, I hope they knock each other the f*** out.”

Ferguson gearing up for second pro boxing bout

‘El Cucuy’ ended an eight-fight losing skid in August when he made his professional boxing debut.

The 41-year-old stopped influencer Nathaniel Bustamante at Misfits 22 in Manchester and was speaking to Helwani ahead of his return on December 20.

Ferguson will face Warren Spencer on the Dubai card billed as ‘Misfits Mania’ as he hopes to go 2-0 in his new sport.

The UFC legend told Helwani that the fight came together as he wants to keep competing regularly.

Tony Ferguson speaks to the media ahead of his MFB Interim Middleweight Title fight against Salt Papi during the Ring of Thrones Press Conference at Glaziers Hall on July 23, 2025 in London, England — Ferguson wants to remain as active as possible as he nears the end of his career

He found the scarcity of fights towards the latter stage of his UFC career difficult, having competed so regularly after winning The Ultimate Fighter in 2011.

Ferguson thought he would be fighting YouTuber AnEsonGib on the Dubai card.

But as things turned out, he is now preparing to face influencer-turned-boxer Spencer, who was submitted by Dillon Danis on the same Misfits card Ferguson fought on.

Ferguson said he will fight in MMA again before he retires, amid rumours of a fight with Danis in the future.