‘I’m a harder puzzle for Gaethje than Khabib’

At a UFC 324 news conference, Paddy Pimblett’s Britain says he expects Justin Gaethje to win their interim lightweight title, while his rival describes him as clearly “overconfident” and says he expects to win.

The lightweights will fight on Saturday at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena in a somewhat subdued media event where Pimblett cut a relaxed figure.

The 31-year-old is the favorite to face the highly skilled Gaethje in the five-round match, but he did not anticipate the fight to go beyond three.

Everyone undervalues me, so it makes the fights easier for me. I’m not Nurmagomedov’s Khabib. Nobody else is. I’m me.

I’m a puzzle that’s even trickier to solve. I’m really strange. You were aware of Khabib’s intentions. You are unsure of what I’m going to do.

Gaethje, who won the interim title for a short time in 2020, objected to Pimblett’s “disrespect for legends like Dustin Poirier” and pleaded with him to dog walk “his younger opponent.”

The two-time undisputed champion bristled ever so slightly when asked if he wanted to face Pimblett for his fellow UFC legends.

“I’m still in it,” I said. Legends are retiring. He responded, “I haven’t retired yet.”

The fire is still as hot and bright as it has ever been.

He has an odd, awkward fighting style that is “weird.” It will be a little puzzle-like.

I’ll have to figure it out by the first round.

A few hundred Pimblett supporters donned wavy blonde wigs to match his famous locks, and the most notable of those who attended the media event was the crowd.

However, Pimblett wishes a happy birthday to Ilia Topuria, the absent champion, before the title is won in its entirety.

Although Pimblett is known for his personality and quick tongue, the full-stylist appears to be limiting his energy for the fight night, which may indicate how significant the fight is to his future.

Although Pimblett is currently on a seven-fight winning streak, he has recently defeated Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson. Gaethje has previously faced Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Poirier in the UFC.

Both men smiled and joked as they both exchanged no harm during their first week-long confrontation when Gaethje immediately questioned whether Pimblett had grown “taller” since their most recent staredown.

In a fascinating featherweight fight, British boxer Arnold Allen will take on Jean Silva, who might as well win the title.

Silva, 29, of Brazil, was the subject of the biggest media conference, encouraging fans to bark and trying to pose as an intimidating face while he attempted to perform on stage while wearing sunglasses and a black hooded robe.

Silva riled up his supporters and claimed that he had accomplished “five times more” in the UFC than Allen had in the organization in just two years.

Allen yelled, “I don’t know what’s happening,” as he struggled to follow Silva’s comments through the barking and the translator.

Allen, 31, claimed Silva was the best course of action to win the featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski because he is currently sixth in the rankings.

He said, “I want to end the year as the number one contender or have that title fight confirmed.”

It’s exciting to be in the Premier League because you want to fight the best guys, and he’s very dangerous and loud.