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Topics: Paddy Pimblett, Justin Gaethje, UFC, MMA, Fan Reactions
John McDougall
Topics: Paddy Pimblett, Justin Gaethje, UFC, MMA, Fan Reactions
The official scorecard for Justin Gaethje's win over Paddy Pimblett has emerged and has left fans stunned with one of the judges' calls.
The UFC Interim Lightweight Championship was on the line overnight at UFC 324 in Las Vegas as Liverpudlian Pimblett took on Gaethje.
The fight went the whole five rounds in the Octagon and went to the judges for their decision to decide the victory.
And it was Gaethje who was declared the winner by unanimous decision as the judges scored the fight 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46 in his favour.
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The loss was Paddy the Baddy's first in the UFC since joining the franchise in 2021 and the fourth defeat of his MMA career.
Pimblett's record now stands at 23 wins from 27 MMA bouts and was graceful in defeat as he could not argue with judges' decision and vowed to return to the Octagon.
He said: "There is no man I'd rather lose to than the Highlight; he is someone I loved watching growing up and it shows why he is a legend.
"I think 48-47 was a fair scorecard. I won't lie, he hit me with a body shot in the first round and it got me. I thought I was winning the round up to that point.
"You live and you learn; I'm 31, I will be back better. You haven't seen the last of me."
Gaethje, 37, now has 27 wins from 32 MMA fights to his name and the American paid tribute to his opponent.
He said: "Paddy is right, Scousers do not get knocked out.
"My coach was definitely upset at me after the first round, but I just love this so much, it's really hard to control myself sometimes.
"I knew I had to put him on his back foot, he is very dangerous and has great timing. I had to steal his momentum and confidence."
The scorecard has now emerged from judges Mike Bell, Derek Cleary and Sal D'Amato and fans have noticed how one round was scored by one of the judges in particular.
Bell scored the fifth and final round 10-9 in Pimblett's favour and fans on social media have been quick to point out that they disagree in particular with that call, given that Paddy the Baddy was nearly stopped at that point.
One fan wrote: "The 5th to Paddy? I wanted him to win but c'mon man."
Another said: "Mike Bell sucks."
One MMA fan posted: "Mike Bell tf?"
And another wrote: "Bell gave Paddy the 5th round, what a mad man lol"