Urijah Faber has weighed in on one of the most talked about matchups of the upcoming UFC calendar, offering a clear opinion on how Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett match up when they meet for interim lightweight gold.
The fight is set to headline UFC 324 on January 24 in Las Vegas, with the winner expected to move toward a unification bout once the undisputed champion returns. With styles that contrast sharply, the matchup has fueled debate across the MMA world.
Faber, a longtime veteran and former WEC featherweight titleholder, believes the difference comes down to who thrives most in chaos and who can dictate where the fight takes place.
Why Faber Leans Toward Gaethje
“I gotta go with Gaethje,” Faber said while speaking with Helen Yee. “I feel like he’s the one that enjoys a knockdown dragout more than the other guy. Not that Paddy Pimblett doesn’t love to fight. It’s just Gaethje loves to actually get down and throw fist for fist.”
According to Faber, Gaethje’s comfort in violent exchanges gives him an advantage against a fighter like Pimblett, who has built momentum through aggression and opportunistic finishes. While Pimblett is known for his submission game and confidence on the ground, Faber does not believe that path will be easy against Gaethje.
“And he’s also got the Division I wrestling to kind of negate some of the biggest skill sets of Paddy,” Faber continued. “Paddy is a very dominant grappler when it comes to submissions and being aggressive with that.”
Faber emphasized that Gaethje’s background allows him to survive grappling exchanges without panicking, which could force the fight back to the feet where he is most dangerous.
“I think Gaethje has the tools to keep it where he wants, and I think that’s going to give him an edge.”
Pimblett enters the bout unbeaten in seven UFC appearances, with notable wins over Bobby Green and Michael Chandler helping elevate him into title contention. Gaethje, meanwhile, has faced a steady run of elite opposition and gone 3 and 1 in his last four fights against top level competition.
The interim title opportunity materialized after the undisputed champion announced a brief pause from competition. The booking was not without controversy, as some observers believed other contenders deserved the opportunity. Still, the matchup has drawn massive attention due to the clash of personalities, experience levels, and fighting philosophies.
For Faber, the equation remains simple. When durability, pressure, and control matter most, he sees Gaethje holding the stronger hand on fight night.
