UFC’s Paddy Pimblett discloses radical tactical change for Justin Gaethje rematch

Paddy Pimblett has admitted he would employ a totally different gameplan in a rematch with Justin Gaethje, if the pair were to fight again.

In January, the heavy-hitting Gaethje handed “Paddy The Baddy” a one-sided decision loss – Pimblett’s first in the UFC – to win the interim lightweight title.

Gaethje then stopped the previously unbeaten Ilia Topuria at the White House in June, finally becoming undisputed lightweight champion at the third time of asking. Meanwhile, Pimblett bounced back by submitting Benoit Saint-Denis within a minute in July.

Saint-Denis implemented the ill-advised tactic of shooting for a takedown on the Liverpudlian in the opening seconds, and he was swiftly locked up in a D’Arce choke by the grappling specialist.

Yet Pimblett has seeingly admitted that his own tactics against Gaethje were unwise; Pimblett largely stood and traded punches with the more powerful Gaethje, rather than pursuing a submission, despite his superior jiu-jitsu.

“Yeah, if I fought him again, I’d shoot in within 10 seconds,” Pimblett laughed in an interview with actor and comedian Jeremy Piven.

“I’d love to get that rematch. If I fought him again, I’d shoot in – in the first 10 seconds – put him on his back and choke his ass out.”

However, Pimblett said he believes Gaethje will retire, something the American has alluded to more than once this year.

“I don’t think he’ll even fight again,” Pimblett said. “I think he will, but at the same time I don’t know, because he’s never going to beat that high of winning the belt at the White House.

“Like my coaches said to me: ‘If that was you in that situation, I’d tell you to retire.’ There’s no point in chasing something else, when he’s never going to get a better feeling than winning that belt at the White House.”

Arman Tsarukyan has emerged as Gaethje’s likeliest next challenger, although a rematch with Topuria has been rumoured, while Pimblett’s star power could see him fight for the belt again soon.

Another potential match-up could pit Pimblett against Topuria, five years after they came to blows at a fighter hotel in London. Topuria, who is of Georgian and Spanish heritage, took issue with tweets by Pimblett, accusing the Briton of an anti-Georgian sentiment.

The pair have held a grudge ever since, but Pimblett told Piven: “I’d take a rematch with Gaethje before Ilia, because I want to be a world champion. I hate Ilia, don’t get me wrong…

“Obviously I’d rather beat Ilia than beat Justin, but Justin’s got the belt, and that’s what we do it for: to be recognised as the best in the world, to be the undisputed champion. That’s been my goal since I was 15, 16, so that’s what I want to do.”