Topics: Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett, UFC
Justin Gaethje has been forced to release a statement after a viral image sparked an injury concern ahead of his UFC title fight against Paddy Pimblett.
Gaethje vs. Pimblett headlines UFC's first show of their Paramount era after striking a $7.7 billion media rights deal last year.
The interim UFC lightweight title will be on the line at UFC 324, with undisputed champion Ilia Topuria taking time away from the sport due to personal reasons.
'The Highlight' heads into his latest UFC title bout having beaten Rafael Fiziev on points in their title eliminator last year.
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He's aiming to become a two-time interim UFC champion, having already won the strap when he stopped Tony Ferguson in May 2020.
But Gaethje worried UFC fans ahead of his fight against Pimblett after an image of him surfaced online.
An image appeared to show Gaethje with what looked like a staph infection on his neck and seemed to have an issue with his lip.
The social media post went viral as UFC fans questioned whether the 37-year-old is fully fit for his UFC 324 assignment.
But Gaethje played down any injury, revealing he is healing from an ingrown hair on his neck.
As for his lip, he claims it to be brisket from a meal.
On X, Gaethje wrote: "Did you screen shot me eating brisket from my YouTube video to make it look like I have herpes on my lip? My neck is a healing ingrown hair."
Pimblett is just weeks away from competing for UFC gold for the first time in his budding career.
He turned 31 on Saturday but took to social media to reveal that he has postponed his birthday celebrations until after UFC 324.
In a video uploaded on Instagram, 'The Baddy' says: "What's happening people. Want to thank everyone for all the kind birthday messages, sorry I can't get back to everyone I've had that many."
He added: "But my birthday's on postpone, put on hold until the 24th of Jan and we'll be having a birthday celebration and a world title celebration on the same night."
