Gaethje v Pimblett – predictions for UFC title fight

Paddy Pimblett aims to make history when he faces Justin Gaethje for the UFC lightweight interim title on Saturday in Las Vegas.

The 31-year-old can become Liverpool’s first UFC title holder with victory and only the fourth Briton to become a UFC interim or undisputed champion.

Gaethje, 37, poses a serious threat to those ambitions as a top contender in the lightweight division for the past eight years and a former interim champion.

Can Pimblett pull off a famous victory? Or will Gaethje bring the Pimblett train to a halt?

You can follow all the action from 03:00 GMT on Sunday, 25 January on the BBC Sport website and app.

BBC Sport asked the world of MMA for predictions.

“Whether they win lose or draw, I hope they can be happy with their performance and be happy and safe. It’s a 50/50 fight.”

Prediction – neutral

“I think [Pimblett’s] going to win, easy. [Gaethje] doesn’t know how to grapple, and Paddy knows that. Have you ever seen him submit someone? If you have the ability to submit someone as soon as you can, you would do it.”

Prediction – Pimblett

“I really like Justin, he’s always exciting to watch and he’s always super entertaining, but I feel like it’s Paddy’s time right now. He’s manifested this big moment. Regardless it’s going to be a banger of a fight and I’m excited to watch it. I think it’s crazy Gaethje is a 3-1 underdog. I think it’s closer than that, but Paddy has a lot of ways to get the job done.”

Prediction – Pimblett

“I think Paddy’s going to win. He’s locked in, the stars have aligned for him and he looks in fantastic shape. I think he’s going to bring another belt back to the UK.”

Prediction – Pimblett

“I’ll go Paddy, ground and pound in round three or four or a knockout.”

Prediction – Pimblett

“Paddy is going to get the job done. I think this is the turning of the tide. Paddy’s young, he’s hungry. He’s extremely confident in his abilities. He’s the same way that I feel. I’ve levelled up every fight. He’s levelled up every single fight. He’s shown more of his attributes, more of his abilities. So, yeah, I expect him to get the job done.”

Prediction – Pimblett

“There’s been a couple of times where I thought Paddy’s had big tests in front of him, and he’s passed them. He’s shown me in his last fight that he can stick to a gameplan. And he’s going to need that with Gaethje. So I’m going go with Paddy.”

Prediction – Pimblett

“I like Paddy but I like [Gaethje] too. It will be a good fight between both of them.”

Prediction – neutral

“Justin moves in a certain way, he leaves an opening for an underhook or a foot sweep or something like that, takes the back, hits a triangle, whatever it is. He’s very creative. I’ve got Paddy Pimblett winning by way of submission and becoming the interim champion of the world.”

Predicton – Pimblett