Paddy Pimblett Accused of ‘Crossing The Line’ Days After UFC 324 Defeat

Paddy Pimblett has been accused of crossing the line following his defeat by Justin Gaethje at UFC 324.

Over the weekend, Pimblett took on Gaethje for the UFC Interim Lightweight Championship inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The much-anticipated bout went the full distance, with Gaethje winning via unanimous decision.

The judges scored the fight 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46 in the American's favour.

The defeat by Gaethje was Pimblett's first loss since joining the UFC roster in 2021. His MMA record now stands at 23 wins from 27 bouts.

Speaking after the fight, 'The Baddy' 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."

Paddy Pimblett was beaten by Justin Gaethje. Image: Getty

A few days after losing to Gaethje, Pimblett has now been accused of crossing the line by New Zealand's UFC star, Dan Hooker.

Back in November 2025, following Hooker's submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Qatar, Pimblett questioned his rival's grappling ability.

Now, Hooker has stated that a line was crossed.

He said to Ariel Helwani: "Name a fighter in history that's ever made a **** joke about someone's mother. As fighters, that's just a line that we don't cross. You don't talk about family. You don't mention people's wives, mothers and kids. That's on the no-go list.

"The UFC was freaking out like, 'If Dan and Paddy see each other at the hotel in Qatar...' I'm like, what, because he said I'm shit at jiu-jitsu? I couldn't give a flying f*** if someone said I'm shit at jiu-jitsu."

Hooker added: "He wanted a reaction, he got one. And from that, I want to take this kid's head off. I just needed to make sure that feeling was mutual. He wants to say some horrible s***, I'm going to say some horrible s***back, so that when we see each other, that feeling is mutual.

"'ll try to kick his head in. If anyone makes a comment like that towards me, I'll kick your head in."