Paddy Pimblett's victory could confirm Justin Gaethje's 'curse' at UFC 324; understand why

Paddy Pimblett when weighing the UFC London (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

Justin gaethje He built his UFC career starring in memorable fights. However, behind the aggressive and striking style that made him famous in the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), there is a curious fact that resurfaces on the eve of... UFC 324 e Paddy Pimblett You can be part of this story.

The so-called "curse" of Gaethje doesn't involve bad luck or mysticism, but a pattern that's hard to ignore: all five of the American's losses in the organization have come against champions. Whenever he was defeated in the UFC, the opponent who defeated "Highlight" already held, or would come to hold, a UFC belt.

The narrative began to take shape in December 2017, at UFC 218, when Gaethje suffered his first defeat in professional MMA. Facing Eddie Alvarez, former lightweight champion, the American waged an intense war, but was ultimately knocked out in the third round. A few months later, in April 2018, it was the turn of... Dustin poirier, former interim lightweight champion, defeated him by technical knockout in the fourth round of 'UFC on Fox 29'.

In October 2020, Gaethje had the chance to unify the lightweight title against Khabib Nurmagomedov No. UFC 254After a competitive start, he was submitted with a triangle choke in the second round by the undefeated champion. The streak continued in May 2022, in UFC 274, when faced Charles of the Bronx for the vacant lightweight title. Despite some good moments on his feet, Gaethje was submitted in the first round.

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The "curse" persisted even outside of the lightweight division. UFC 300In April 2024, Gaethje defended the BMF belt against Max Holloway, former featherweight champion (up to 65,7 kg), and was knocked out in the last second of the fifth round.

Justin gaethje has only lost to UFC champions, and he has only lost via finish 🧾 pic.twitter.com/zW2nCsN1MX

— MMA On Point (@mmaonpoint) January 19, 2026

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Not now UFC 324The “Highlight” faces Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title. If the Englishman wins, the streak will remain intact, as he would become champion. A victory for Gaethje would keep the statistic alive in another way: Justin would continue undefeated against non-titled fighters in the organization. Check out the fight card for event number 324 below (subject to change).