Justin Gaethje knows exactly where he stands in his career, and he’s not pretending otherwise. As he gears up for his interim lightweight title fight against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January 2026, Justin Gaethje has made it clear that this stretch represents the final chapter of his championship pursuit and he plans to make it count.
Speaking candidly in a video posted to his YouTube channel, Gaethje reflected on the reality of his situation and the opportunity in front of him.
“I’d be foolish to think that this is the beginning of my career,” Gaethje said. “This is my last chance, and this opportunity to finish my career off the way that I want to is everything that I could ask for. I fight Paddy [Pimblett] for the interim championship, win that, and then I get to fight Ilia [Topuria]. Ilia right now is the baddest man in my division and some consider across the board.”
For Gaethje, the path is simple but unforgiving: beat Pimblett, claim the interim belt, then chase undisputed gold against Topuria. It’s a run that mirrors the way he’s always fought, direct, dangerous, and without shortcuts.
At 37, Gaethje understands perfection is impossible over the course of a career, but he believes it’s achievable on one crucial night.
“It’s impossible to be perfect every time,” Gaethje explained. “The challenge right now is for me to be perfect for 25 minutes in seven weeks. I’ve gone through a lot of experiences and I’ve learned a lot. I know how to do that now. I just have to trust my intuition and my body.”
Preparation, he says, is the key to confidence. And confidence has always fueled Gaethje’s ability to turn fights into chaos on his terms.
The former BMF champion doubled down on his mindset as he laid out what success looks like at this stage of his career.
“I’m planning on fighting perfect, and when I fight perfect, I think you have to get lucky to beat me,” Gaethje said. “But the challenge is still ahead. I have to be perfect that night to knock Paddy out and earn my title shot on the White House card. That’s the plan.”
Win or lose, Justin Gaethje isn’t chasing longevity anymore, he’s chasing closure. And if he gets his way, the final image of his career will look exactly like the rest of it: violent, calculated, and unforgettable.
