Paddy Pimblett blames a hidden injury for his loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324.
He claims the injury affected his takedowns during the fight.
What happened?
Paddy Pimblett was defeated by Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, losing the interim lightweight title.
The fight was marked by controversy, with Pimblett alleging eye pokes and low blows by Gaethje.
Why it matters for Paddy Pimblett
The loss was Pimblett's first in the UFC, and he is eager to bounce back.
He believes the injury and alleged foul play were significant factors in the outcome.
What comes next?
Paddy Pimblett is set to face Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329 next month.
He hopes to secure a highlight-reel finish and get back on track in the lightweight division.
Pimblett's complaints about eye pokes have gained traction after Gaethje's championship win against Ilia Topuria.
Slow-motion footage showed Gaethje landing a grazing eye poke on Topuria's right eye.
Pimblett claims the eye pokes affected his vision and limited his grappling ability.
He wishes he had taken Gaethje down sooner, but the injury and eye pokes made it difficult.
The 31-year-old is motivated to get back in the win column and make a push for the lightweight title.
However, he recognizes the division is crowded, with strong contenders like Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira.
Paddy Pimblett's return against Benoit Saint Denis will be a crucial test of his skills.
He needs a strong performance to stay in the title picture and potentially earn a rematch with Gaethje.
Pimblett's experience against Gaethje has given him valuable insight into the champion's style.
He believes he can use this knowledge to his advantage in future fights.
The lightweight division is one of the most competitive in the UFC, with several top contenders vying for the title.
Paddy Pimblett is determined to be among them, and his next fight will be a key step in that journey.