Podcast Summary: The Daniel Cormier Show – Justin Gaethje on Putting Paddy Pimblett TO SLEEP, Guarantees White House Fight
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
Episode Date: January 24, 2026
Guest: Justin Gaethje
Host: Daniel Cormier
Episode Overview
In this special crossover episode, Daniel Cormier sits down with top UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje ahead of Gaethje's high-profile interim lightweight title fight against Paddy Pimblett. The conversation dives deep into Gaethje's mindset, his preparation for Pimblett, reflections on his UFC career, and even speculations on a wild White House fight card. Listeners are treated to candid banter, psychological insights, and trademark Gaethje confidence.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Justin Gaethje’s Mindset and Confidence
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On Face-Off with Paddy Pimblett
- Gaethje addresses Pimblett’s claim that Justin seemed “twitchy” during their face-to-face.
- “I love everything he's saying right now... they forget who I am and what I do.” (04:57)
- Gaethje appreciates Pimblett’s confidence, seeing it as a sign his opponent is underestimating him and likely overconfident.
- Gaethje addresses Pimblett’s claim that Justin seemed “twitchy” during their face-to-face.
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Comfort with the Stakes & Outcomes
- Gaethje details his approach to mental preparation: being “okay” with the worst possible outcome.
- “I'm content with the worst possible outcome. How could I be nervous?” (05:20)
- Clarifies, “I'm not comfortable with it, but I'm okay with it... I control the preparation... At the end of the day, if he beats me at my absolute best, what the am I going to worry about?” (05:48 - 06:00)
- Emphasizes freedom in fighting: “That's why I go in there so free. And that's why I'm not scared to fight.” (06:17)
- Gaethje details his approach to mental preparation: being “okay” with the worst possible outcome.
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On Fear vs. Excitement
- Cormier recalls Gaethje’s unusual calm walking into a fight: “You told me... you don't feel anything when you go into an octagon.” (06:54)
- Gaethje reinforces, “What some people call fear, I call excitement.” (12:58)
- Cormier recalls Gaethje’s unusual calm walking into a fight: “You told me... you don't feel anything when you go into an octagon.” (06:54)
2. Analysis of Pimblett’s Style and Chandler Fight
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Gaethje on Pimblett’s Overconfidence
- “The more nervous he thinks I am... I know he’s going to be overconfident.” (05:19)
- Discusses how external hype and internet comments feed Pimblett's belief he can finish Gaethje early.
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Critique of Michael Chandler’s Strategy vs. Pimblett
- Did not find Pimblett’s win surprising.
- “No. Especially when I saw Michael Chandler trying to take him down in the first round. What a terrible decision.” (08:24)
- Notes Chandler’s lack of energy conservation and fighting approach plays into Pimblett’s strengths.
- Did not find Pimblett’s win surprising.
3. Gaethje’s Experience vs. Pimblett’s Youth
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On Veteran Experience
- Cormier points out Gaethje’s many championship rounds and Pimblett’s lack of top-10 experience.
- Gaethje’s view: “It doesn't matter. It's 25 minutes in time. That's all that matters is being perfect for 25 minutes.” (09:17)
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Adjusting to Earlier Fight Schedule
- The fight’s start time is an hour earlier for this event. Gaethje shares, “I only train during the day. Nighttime is for killing people. So this week I have started training around 8pm.” (09:43)
4. Cormier vs. Gaethje Banter & Gym Stories
- Playful Trash Talk
- Cormier teases Gaethje about their last sparring session: “Did you prepare? ...think if we were to do it again, that you would stand a better chance of at least competing with me?” (09:54)
- Gaethje jokes about Cormier’s heavyweight advantage: “You're a heavyweight wrestler. So, there's weight classes for a reason. I think I would have a difficult time.” (10:16)
- More jokes about size, wrestling, and finishing each other with body shots.
- “I'm finishing you so hard.” (10:34)
- “Find your liver. I just don't know if I can create the amount of torque that I need to get through your body.” (10:41)
5. Reflections on Career and Interim Titles
- On Being Interim Champion
- The first interim title (“I don't really want this... not my goal”) felt strange due to COVID-19 and empty arenas.
- “That shit was weird. There was not one fan in the arena... It was different.” (11:09)
- Now, older and wiser, Gaethje values achieving championship status regardless of “interim” label, especially because it brings full pay: “Undisputed and interim belt is the same on paper. So I will appreciate that.” (11:42)
- The first interim title (“I don't really want this... not my goal”) felt strange due to COVID-19 and empty arenas.
6. Take on Lightweight Division and Arman Tsarukyan
- Handling Division Turmoil
- Gaethje shrugs off drama: “I don't give a. Why would I care? ...I think all the guys in the top five can beat each other on any given night.” (11:56)
- Betting on himself: “Thank God, I like to gamble. And I'm going to bet on myself whenever I have a chance. And this is another chance on Saturday to bet on myself and walk into the fire.” (12:13)
7. Adrenaline, Fear, and Motivation
- Adrenaline Junkie
- Cormier notes Gaethje’s adrenaline-seeking behavior: “I've seen you do some crazy stuff outside of the public eye... That's why I have a hard time believing that you'd be afraid of anything going into a fight.” (12:25)
- Gaethje reiterates: “What some people call fear, I call excitement.” (13:01)
8. White House Fight Card Hype
- Wild Speculation
- Cormier floats the idea: “Jorge Masvidal vs Conor McGregor at the White House. That's what you want.” (13:16)
- Gaethje: “If they're on the card, that doesn't affect me. I will still be on the card. 100%.” (13:35)
- “Book it.” (13:59)
- Cormier jokes about them playing golf in DC if Gaethje fights on that card.
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- “He says you don't get knocked out. But he's got a brain, and so when I make his brain touch his skull, he's gonna go to sleep.”
- Justin Gaethje on Paddy Pimblett, (05:40)
- “I'm content with the worst possible outcome. How could I be nervous?”
- Justin Gaethje, (05:20)
- “I only train during the day. Nighttime is for killing people.”
- Justin Gaethje, (09:43)
- “What some people call fear, I call excitement.”
- Justin Gaethje, (13:01)
- “I'm finishing you so hard.”
- Justin Gaethje to Daniel Cormier (joking about sparring), (10:34)
- “Undisputed and interim belt is the same on paper. So I will appreciate that.”
- Justin Gaethje, (11:42)
- “Book it. Write down. Take a picture. I don't give a [expletive].”
- Justin Gaethje on fighting at the White House, (14:01)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Gaethje on Mental Preparation & Fearlessness: 04:57 – 06:54
- Breaking Down Pimblett-Chandler Fight: 08:24 – 08:50
- Experience vs. Hype: 09:17 – 09:43
- Cormier vs. Gaethje Sparring Banter: 09:54 – 10:47
- Reflection on Interim Champion Status: 11:09 – 11:42
- Lightweight Division, Tsarukyan Take: 11:45 – 12:25
- “Adrenaline junkie”/Fear vs. Excitement: 12:25 – 13:01
- White House Card Speculation: 13:16 – 14:01
Summary/Takeaway
This lively episode offers a revealing portrait of Justin Gaethje’s fighting mentality, his unique ability to channel anxiety into excitement, and his commitment to fearless competition. Listeners get top-tier fight analysis, inside humor, and high-stakes fight speculation, all in the irreverent, straight-shooting tone typical of both Cormier and Gaethje. For UFC fans, it’s a must-listen before the big fight.
