Israel Adesanya believes the impact of Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 goes far beyond the octagon, comparing it to a legendary fight that once changed the entire trajectory of the UFC.
In Adesanya’s view, the bout did not just entertain; it arrived at a critical commercial moment for the promotion, echoing a historic turning point from two decades ago.
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Israel Adesanya compares Pimblett vs. Gaethje to UFC’s defining moment
Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC
Reflecting on the fight, Israel Adesanya explained why the Pimblett vs. Gaethje main event carried such significance.
“The main event was sick. This is perfect because the Spike TV deal, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar showed out and made the whole world go, ‘What the …’ This is like part 2 I guess because it’s the new deal with Paramount. And this main event f______ showed out.
“I’m sure everyone watched this. A lot of eyes on this. And the main event delivered, which is what you want,’ Adesanya said.
Adesanya’s comparison centres on timing. With the UFC entering a new broadcast era under its Paramount deal, he believes the fight arrived when the promotion needed a defining spectacle to capture mainstream attention.
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Why the Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar fight changed UFC history
The fight Adesanya referenced took place in April 2005 during the live finale of The Ultimate Fighter Season 1.
Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar headlined the event, producing a three-round war that showcased relentless pace, durability, and raw competitiveness.
At the time, the UFC was struggling financially and searching for mainstream relevance. The bout aired live on Spike TV and drew a massive television audience, introducing millions of viewers to mixed martial arts in a single night.
The fight is widely credited with saving the UFC from collapse. Both Griffin and Bonnar were awarded contracts despite the bout being a finale rather than a traditional title fight, and UFC president Dana White has repeatedly cited the match as a catalyst for the promotion’s survival and growth.
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By comparing Pimblett vs. Gaethje to that moment, Adesanya framed the fight as more than violence or rivalry. In his eyes, it represented a modern-era equivalent, a bout that arrived at the right time, on the right platform, and delivered exactly what the UFC needed.
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