Paddy Pimblett LOSES his first UFC fight on points in blood-soaked battle against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 – with Brit rushed to hospital afterwards

Paddy Pimblett was rushed to hospital after his blood-soaked battle against Justin Gaethje ended in defeat at UFC 324.

Gaethje, 37, rolled back the years at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday morning as he handed ‘The Baddy’ his first UFC loss to claim the interim lightweight crown.

The Liverpudlian, 31, had hoped to become the fourth British champion in MMA’s top promotion, but lost on points after being knocked down three times in the epic bout.

Pimblett, who was the favourite to win, had vowed not to go down easy against the American, saying ‘Scousers don’t get knocked out’ in the build-up.

And despite battling back with the ‘The Highlight’ throughout the five rounds, Pimblett’s chin could only take so much and he was taken to hospital, bruised and bloodied, after the fight.

Gaethje raised his arm in anticipation of victory, and Pimblett began applauding as the judges’ scores of 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46 were read out in the 37 year old’s favour.

‘That f****r is right, Scousers do not get knocked out. That Scouser does not get knocked out,’ Gaethje said as he stood in the Octagon after the fight.

The American, whose victory sets him up for a match against lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, said his coach was ‘definitely upset’ with him as he came out at breakneck speed for a blistering start.

‘I knew I had to put him on his back foot,’ Gaethje added. ‘He is very dangerous and has great timing. I had to steal his momentum and confidence. I had to work really hard in the first round but champions move forward.’

UFC CEO Dana White said: ‘We sent Paddy Pimblett straight to the hospital and we’re gonna send Gaethje too.’

‘He got dropped a bunch of times. And he obviously took some big shots from a guy who knocks everybody out. But I don’t know if it’s going to [affect him later in his career],’ White added.

‘It’s tough to tell. You don’t ever wanna see guys take too much punishment. But I don’t know if tonight affected Paddy’s longevity in his career at all.

‘He showed tonight that he’s tough, he’s durable and he can take a punch. He can take a lot of punches, actually.’

Pimblett was then interviewed by Joe Rogan, who told the Briton that his performance in loss was like ‘a victory’.

‘I wanted to be walking away with that belt, Joe’ the Liverpudlian replied. ‘I know how tough I am anyway, I don’t need to prove it to anyone.

‘I wanted to leave with that belt, but there’s no man I’d rather lose to than ‘The Highlight’. Justin Gaethje is someone I’ve loved watching growing up watching the UFC. It show’s why he’s a legend right there.

‘I thought 48-47 was a fair scorecard. I’m not going to lie, he hit me with a body shot in that first round. He hit me right in the solar plexus and it got me. I thought I was winning the first round up until that point.

‘But you live and you learn. I’m 31, I’ll be back better. It’s as simple as that, you haven’t seen the last of me.’

Pimblett also paid tribute to his friend Liam’s mother, who had passed away in the last few months, and spoke to mental health issues suffered by men – an issue he has raised in the past.

‘Two lads who I know have killed themselves over the last couple of months since I fought so, again, men, speak up, don’t bottle your feelings up,’ Pimblett said.

‘And obviously I’m a Liverpool fan. There’s a Liverpool legend that passed away, Diogo Jota and his brother Andre, so I’d like to dedicate that performance to them, even though I didn’t win.’

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