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Method of victory prop bets were available for Saturday's big UFC 324 bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.
Method of Victory - Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett by Submission
+130
Justin Gaethje by KO/TKO
+390
Paddy Pimblett by KO/TKO
+480
Justin Gaethje by Points
+550
Paddy Pimblett by Points
+550
Justin Gaethje by Submission
+3000
Draw
+5000
The Headline Fight
(AP) - Gaethje and Pimblett will be the faces of the UFC on Saturday when the premier organization in mixed-martial arts stages its first card on Paramount+..
It helps the UFC that both are fan favorites, but based strictly on rankings, it’s questionable whether they should headline such an important event, much less compete for the interim lightweight title.
But a number of factors led to fourth-ranked challenger Gaethje (26-5) facing No. 5 Pimblett (23-3) at UFC 324. Reigning champion Ilia Topuria has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons, top-ranked challenger Arman Tsarukyan is recovering from a back injury and No. 2 Charles Oliveira and No. 3 Max Holloway are scheduled to fight each other at UFC 326 on March 7.
That doesn’t mean, however, that Gaethje and Pimblett aren’t an intriguing matchup. This could be the final bout for the 37-year-old Gaethje, who fights out of Denver.
“It’s been a hell of a ride,” Gaethje said. “I’m blessed to be given such huge opportunities by the company. This is a huge opportunity to be the main event red (higher-ranked) corner of the first Paramount card. I know they trust me. They know I’m the most consistent guy, the most exciting guy, and that’s probably why I’m here.”
He enters familiar territory as the underdog. Pimblett, 31, is a -235 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook, and Gaethje said this is the 11th time in 14 such bouts the odds have been against him and it often hasn’t worked out in his opponent’s favor.
It’s that championship-level experience, the former lightweight champ said, that should give him an advantage over Pimblett. The fighter out of Liverpool, England, is competing in his first title bout.
“It’s going to be nice to have another legend’s name on me resume,” Pimblett said. “It’s an honor to share the octagon with him. He’s someone I’ve been watching for years and years. He’s had some of the best fights I’ve ever watched in the UFC. That’s what we’re in this game for, the people you watch. You want to eventually fight them and beat them.”
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
