"The first UFC event of 2026 brought the action we've missed during the six-week break. The interim lightweight matchup between two of the toughest fighters in MMA somehow went the distance after five bloody rounds. Justin Gaethje earned every bit of his unanimous decision victory over Paddy Pimblett and took home a second career interim belt for his effort. The win likely set up a unification bout with champion Ilia Topuria in the spring."
"Rumors of Gaethje's demise were greatly exaggerated. Although Gaethje has openly discussed closing in on the final chapter of his excellent fighting career, "The Highlight" showed against Pimblett that he has gas left in the tank. After Gaethje lost by brutal knockout to Max Holloway, the expectation was that his violent fighting style had finally caught up with him and taken too many years off his career."
The first UFC event of 2026 featured an interim lightweight fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett that went five bloody rounds. Justin Gaethje won a unanimous decision and captured a second career interim lightweight belt, likely setting up a unification bout with champion Ilia Topuria in the spring. Ilia Topuria is on a self-imposed hiatus from MMA. Sean O'Malley returned to victory against Song Yadong, marking his first Octagon win in nearly two years and potentially reopening a path to the bantamweight title picture. Natalia Silva and Waldo Cortes-Acosta produced performances that may lead to future championship opportunities. Gaethje displayed violent, offensive output, nearly finishing Pimblett in the first two rounds, absorbing a third-round surge, and closing out the fight to secure the decision.
Read at ESPN.com
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