Paddy Pimblett is back in camp for UFC 329. His recent loss to Justin Gaethje still seems to be on his mind, however.
The two met at UFC 324, where Pimblett dropped a decision in a fight filled with exchanges. Known for his submission game, Pimblett rarely went to it. Instead, he chose to stand and trade.
Rewatch the Fight Here
Now, he admits that approach cost him.
“So to be honest, with the last fight, I think a little bit of me ego got in the way,”
he said in a recent YouTube video on his channel.
“I wanted to knock him out. I wanted to strike with him and show everyone I could strike with him.”
By the time he adjusted, it was too late.
“When you’re trying to take him down in the fifth round after he bludgeoned you at the end of the second, it’s quite hard.”
He pointed to a need for discipline moving forward.
“Back to fight IQ. Back to the game plan and not just swinging recklessly.”
Watch Paddy’s Monologue Here
Return Set for UFC 329 as Lightweight Race Tightens
Pimblett is expected to return at UFC 329. His opponent is likely Benoît Saint-Denis during International Fight Week.
Camp has already started, even if the adjustment has been tough.
“Body’s feeling it, as it will be the first few weeks back,” he said. “I had a perfect camp for the last fight, and that never went perfect in the cage.”
He is not chasing perfection this time.
“So I think I’m better off having a little bit of a mad disruptive fight camp, and I have my best fights.”
He pointed to past performances for proof.
“Bobby Green and Michael Chandler, both fight camps weren’t perfect, but in the end they were perfect when I got in the Octagon. So hopefully this is the same.”
The stakes are clear as he looks ahead.
“I gotta show everyone why I deserve to get that title shot. Show everyone that I’m gonna be getting another one in the near future.”
The lightweight division continues to shift. Ilia Topuria is moving toward a title fight, while Arman Tsarukyan remains in the mix. Names like Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway add depth to an already crowded top tier.
A win over Saint-Denis would push Pimblett back into contention. The margin for error is smaller now. Saint-Denis is a dangerous contender, with fearless striking and a suffocating ground game. Another loss, and he can forget any title ambitions in the near future.
What do you think? Was the loss really due to his ego? Or did he just lack the skills to take Justin Geathje down?