Summary

  1. Postpublished at 05:05 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Daniel Cormier
    Retired two-weight UFC champion on TNT Sports

    If you're in Gaethje's corner, you're telling him to calm down because Paddy is landing really well. If he isn't careful, Paddy will put him down.

  2. Round onepublished at 05:04 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Paddy Pimblett kicks Justin GaethjeImage source, Getty Images

    Pimblett is punishing Gaethje with the leg kicks but he's walking through them at the moment and throwing strikes. Pimblett fires back and they exchange strikes on the side of the cage.

    One round down. Four to go.

  3. Round onepublished at 05:03 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Paddy Pimblett after getting poked in the eyeImage source, Getty Images

    Oooh, not this again. Pimblett gets a finger in the eye but it doesn't seem to be at Tom Aspinall's level.

    On we go. Gaethje gets a warning.

  4. Round onepublished at 05:02 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Some HUGE blows are landing in this first round. Gaethje doesn't respect Pimblett's power and is getting caught but doesn't seem to be too troubled by it.

    Pimblett looking to use his legs as best he can but Gaethje keeps coming with the uppercuts.

  5. Round onepublished at 05:00 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Pimblett lands a nice overhand right to kick us off as he looks to get his hands flowing early but Gaethje fires a right hand back of his own.

    Pimblett hits a hard knee but Gaethje has Pimblett in a world of trouble.

    Gaethje looking to finish this early.

  6. Tale of the tapepublished at 04:58 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Head to head of Justin Gaethje and Paddy PimblettImage source, Getty Images
  7. The scene is setpublished at 04:57 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    The scene is set and it's stunning.

    Is it Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett's time?

    UFC 324 cage inside T-Mobile ArenaImage source, Getty Images
  8. Pimblett's UFC formpublished at 04:57 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    W after W for Paddy Pimblett in the UFC.

    That TKO win over Michael Chandler last time out was impressive.

    Paddy Pimblett's last five UFC fights
  9. Postpublished at 04:56 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Bruce Buffer is giving it his all as always, introducing the fighters.

    Feel like I could run through a brick wall after listening to this man.

  10. Will we see a stoppage?published at 04:55 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    In Paddy Pimblett's seven UFC wins, five have come by stoppage, while Justin Gaethje has six stoppages in nine victories.

    Something tells me we'll be seeing another soon.

    Finish rates of top UFC lightweights
  11. Postpublished at 04:54 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Big fan of how Justin Gaethje has his own name tattooed on his back.

  12. 'Pimblett is a dangerous man'published at 04:53 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Joe Rogan
    UFC commentator on TNT Sports

    Paddy PimblettImage source, Getty Images

    He disarms you with his silliness, his dancing, his cute face, but make no mistake about it; this man is a killer.

    He knows how to finish, his ground game is spectacular and he has come up leaps and bounds with his stand-up. He is a dangerous, dangerous man.

    This dude is about to enter the fight of his life and he looks like he is at a party.

  13. Pimblett's UFC risepublished at 04:52 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    It's seven fights and seven wins for Paddy Pimblett in the UFC.

    After making his debut in 2021, the Liverpudlian has climbed the lightweight ranks and currently occupies fifth.

    UFC lightweight top 10 fighters
  14. Postpublished at 04:50 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    And here comes Justin Gaethje.

    Incredible scenes in Las Vegas right now. Can't beat fight night.

  15. From a 'reckless teenager' to a UFC star - the making of Pimblettpublished at 04:49 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Paddy Pimblett at the UFC 324 news conferenceImage source, Getty Images

    The first day Paddy Pimblett arrived at Next Generation Gym in Liverpool around 16 years ago, he couldn't find the entrance.

    The 31-year-old admits he was "reckless" back then, and his impenetrable self-confidence would sometimes be his downfall.

    But under the guise of coach Paul Rimmer, Pimblett was able to turn his self-confidence into his biggest strength. Pimblett is now the star at Next Generation and described as the "captain of the team".

    Tonight against Justin Gaethje, Pimblett could realise a career-long dream of becoming a UFC champion. This is how he got here.

  16. Postpublished at 04:48 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Paddy Pimblett is dancing, singing and smiling. You wouldn't know it's the biggest fight of his life!

  17. Where will Gaethje v Pimblett be won and lost?published at 04:48 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Many fans and pundits are seeing the contest as a battle between Justin Gaethje's explosive striking at close-range and Paddy Pimblett's grappling.

    Gaethje has made a career out of stopping opponents with 20 of his 26 wins coming via knockout, while Pimblett is widely-regarded as a submission specialist with 10 of his 23 victories coming this way.

    Pimblett believes he can match Gaethje on the feet, so may use his height to attack from range, but he's expected to try and take the action to the mat.

    Whether he can do this might be where the fight is won and lost, with Gaethje possessing sound takedown defence from his early career in wrestling.

    A head to head graphic of Justin Gaethje and Paddy PimblettImage source, Getty Images
  18. Pimblett and Gaethje in numberspublished at 04:47 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    The MMA careers of Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje in numbers.

    Gaethje's KO/TKO numbers dominate Pimblett's but look at the difference in submission numbers.

    Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje comparison
  19. Postpublished at 04:46 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    "Oh, Paddy the Baddy" rings around the T-Mobile Arena and there are plenty of blonde wigs on show as Paddy Pimblett makes his way to the cage.

  20. Liverpool descends on Vegaspublished at 04:45 GMT 25 January

    Gaethje v Pimblett

    Coral Barry
    BBC Sport at the T-Mobile Arena

    Daryl Hammond and I have been waiting all week for the Liverpudlians to arrive and on Friday we got our wish. We walked around the T-Mobile Arena before the weigh-ins, stopping as many fans as could stick us for a quick chat.

    Blonde wigs are a mainstay at Pimblett's fights, but to see so many of his people in Las Vegas is something special.

    We spoke to a lot of kids as well (school be damned!) there to follow their hero.

    Pimblett is certainly a son of his city and he revealed this week he's spent over £100,000 of his own money on tickets so his nearest and dearest could attend.