Tony Ferguson is perhaps the best man to tell you who to pick in the interim lightweight title main event of UFC 324.
Former interim lightweight champion Ferguson fought Justin Gaethje at the beginning of the pandemic, losing that fight by TKO in the fifth. Three years later, he took on Paddy Pimblett in one of his final UFC outings and went the three round distance.
Now, he will be watching on as his two rivals compete for that same belt he once held years ago. And he believes that the ‘interim’ part will play a big part in the result if the fight becomes gritty and comes down to who wants it more.
Tony Ferguson picks Paddy Pimblett to beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 324
After having fought both men, Tony Ferguson’s take on the UFC 324 main event is arguably one of the most insightful you will find. He and Gaethje went five hard rounds, while he was closer to the end of his run against Pimblett.
And Ferguson is backing the Brit, noting that this ‘interim’ belt means a whole lot more to the rising Brit than it does to an aging veteran like Gaethje, who has already held that gold. “Justin doesn’t want another interim belt,” he told Ariel Helwani on his Uncrowned show this evening.
Justin Gaethje has 6 finishes inside the UFC Octagon, while Paddy Pimblett has 5. Whose highlight reel is better?
Comment Like or Comment
“Paddy’s not bad, dude. He’s very beatable, and Gaethje is very beatable as well, but when it comes to the passion, man, how exciting Justin Gaethje has always been about not getting that real title shot — they just keep dangling it right there.
“Paddy’s in for a new treat. Paddy’s the one who has never fought for a belt. He’s going in there to try and get that, and he’s going to feel a little bit fresher. He’s going to have that excitement, in my opinion.
“So if I were going to try and place a bet, I would go with the new kid that’s going in for the new opportunity, rather than the old kid who fought for the belt. It’s going to go to Paddy, but best of luck for both of them, I hope they knock each other the f— out.”