Gaethje Declines Rematch After Scoring UFC 329 Win

Pimblett’s Lightning Submission

Paddy Pimblett made a statement at UFC 329 by submitting Benoit Saint‑Denis in just 52 seconds, a victory that erased the memory of his one‑sided loss to Justin Gaethje the previous January. The rapid finish thrust the Liverpudlian back into title talk after a brief lull, and he celebrated the win by calling out several top fighters in the lightweight division.

Pimblett’s post‑fight rant listed Gaethje, Conor McGregor and Max Holloway as potential next opponents, vowing to “punch their head in” if given the chance. McGregor’s return to the octagon ended disastrously when he suffered an injury inside 69 seconds, his first fight in five years coming to a quick end.

Gaethje’s Dominance Against Pimblett

Gaethje secured an emphatic win over Pimblett, defeating him by points to capture the interim lightweight belt before later unifying the division against Ilia Topuria at the White House. The fighter, now 37, has been vocal about his future plans, indicating he has no interest in an immediate rematch with either Pimblett or Topuria.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Gaethje dismissed the notion of another fight with Pimblett, stating bluntly, “Destined for each other to fight again? No. No, no, no.” He also downplayed Pimblett’s claim that watching Gaethje stop Topuria had sparked a new drive to train harder, noting how his own story had resonated with other athletes.

Influence on Fellow Athletes

Gaethje pointed to Rafael Fiziev, a former opponent who credits his training regimen to the impact of their two contests. He also mentioned boxer Anthony Joshua discussing the humility and danger of combat sports, highlighting the respect the broader athletic community has for mixed‑martial arts.

Next Steps for the Champion

With Gaethje focusing on other prospects, Arman Tsarukyan emerges as a potential next challenger. The Armenian contender holds the No. 2 lightweight ranking and boasts a five‑fight win streak, though his involvement has been complicated by past withdrawals and a controversial headbutt at a UFC weigh‑in.

UFC president Dana White has expressed frustration with Tsarukyan’s recent behavior, including a missed title fight against Islam Makhachev in January 2025. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan remains active in grappling, posting 12 wins and one draw in the last 14 months, and is slated to face Colby Covington in an upcoming exhibition bout.

Looking Forward

Gaethje’s clear disinterest in immediate rematches leaves the UFC to decide his next “Highlight” fight. Whether it involves Tsarukyan, a returning challenger, or another rising star, the organization will need to craft a storyline that maintains crowd interest while respecting the champion’s wishes. For now, the focus remains on the talent already lined up, as the division continues to evolve beyond the recent headlines at UFC 329.