Overview
- Gaethje defeated Pimblett by unanimous decision over five rounds to secure interim gold and position himself for a unification bout with Ilia Topuria.
- Pimblett left with severe facial swelling and bruising, and he underwent precautionary hospital scans after the bout, according to Dana White.
- The Paramount+ launch featured larger $100,000 post-fight bonuses and a $25,000 finish bonus, with Gaethje–Pimblett earning Fight of the Night.
- Gaethje said he intends to fight on the UFC’s planned White House card in June, while Topuria’s return window remains April to June.
- Arman Tsarukyan ridiculed Pimblett’s performance as critics, including Josh Barnett, questioned the main event and Dana White criticized Pimblett’s no-takedown approach; early prelims delivered first-round KOs by Ty Miller, Josh Hokit and Alex Perez.