The Daniel Cormier Show - Justin Gaethje on putting Paddy Pimblett TO SLEEP, guarantees White House fight

Summary

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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

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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.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Justin Gaethje’s Mindset and Confidence

• 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.

• 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)

• 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)

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2. Analysis of Pimblett’s Style and Chandler Fight

• 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.

• 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.

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3. Gaethje’s Experience vs. Pimblett’s Youth

• 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)

• 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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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

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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.

Transcript

[A]

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The volume. All right, guys, today's show is brought to you by our new sponsor, Hard Rock Bet. Hard Rock Bet is a top rated sportsbook app. It might just take the belt from any other sportsbook app that you use once you open it up and you see it for yourself. And guys, if you haven't tried your first bet on Hard Rock Bet, there's still time for you to get 150 in bonus bets if you win. So place a $5 bet. If that bet hits, you not only get your winnings, but you get $150 in bonus bets right away. Guys, today is a great day to try the Hard Rock Bet sports app. So it's not just a welcome offer. You can get bonus bets, you can get parlay insurance and other rewards. The rewards and the promos are nonstop. So download the Hard Rock Bet Apple and make your first deposit today. Payable and bonus bets is not a cash offer. Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in Florida. Offered by Seminole hard Rock Digital, LLC. In all other states, you must be 21 or older and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling In Florida, call 1888 A D M I T I T in Indiana. If you are someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9 with it. And if you have a gambling problem, call 1-800- GAMBLER CALL NOBODY. Justin, first off, how's that golf content going? I mean, you have used me. I mean, you are using me for golf content.

[C]

Oh, my God. For the next outing, if I don't play you and take your money, you're kind of. You're kind of funding it, even though you have no stake in the company.

[B]

Wait, what? I'm running Woods.

[C]

You're funding my golf experiences and golf trips by using so much money, you know, you only pay half the time, but it is what it is.

[B]

Hey, jg, today I bought you that thing, man. I bought you that scan thing for when you lose your golf clubs. Because I can't work. It's going to work because I care.

[C]

That takes somebody else going out of their way to find me and return something. They're just going to take that shit.

[B]

Yeah. Okay, so I want to say this to you. You. You seem confident. You seem good. You seem like Justin gaii. But Patty just left here and said that he doesn't want to say that you're necessarily nervous, but when you guys went face to face, he said you were a little twitchy. And, like, what did you take from that face to face interaction you guys just had? Said you stood two minutes in front of each other and he said he felt like a little, like, twitchy.

[C]

I love everything he's saying. I love everything he's saying right now. I love that he says this is the same as the Michael Chandler fight. I love that he says he's going to retire me. I love that he says I'm nervous. I love that he wasn't a mouth breather. I didn't have to smell his breath. That's what I took.

[B]

Why do you love. Why do you love it so much?

[C]

Because it just. I just know that he's gonna be overconfident. You know, I know that he's Gonna. The more. The more nervous he thinks I am. I'm not sure if he. Again, he's like, all these. These fans, like, they forget who I am and what I do. Like. Like, I'm nervous to go in there. I'm content with the worst possible outcome. How could I be nervous?

[B]

You're content with the word.

[C]

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.

[B]

You said you're comfortable with the worst possible outcome, and that's losing?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

How. How do you get comfortable with that?

[C]

I'm not comfortable with it, but I'm okay with it.

[B]

How are you? Because I know that I okay with it. Is it because I can only control.

[C]

What I can control? I control the preparation. I control my effort. I control my. My ability to not make mistakes. And at the end of the day, if he beats me at my absolute best, then what the am I going to worry about? You know, it is what it is. This sports crazy. I'm gonna have my mom and dad, my. My family, my coaches, they're always gonna, you know, unconditional love, unconditional support. That's why I go in there so free. And that's why I'm not scared to fight. Because every single time I've ever fought, I've been okay with the worst possible outcome. And for me, that's how I. That's how I do it, you know?

[B]

You.

[C]

And okay means I can wake up tomorrow and still have faith in myself and have faith in the process, but I'm not okay losing. Like, I don't want.

[B]

No, no, I'm not saying that. I didn't mean that. I didn't mean that. Like, sometimes people think fear the. The worst outcome, like, that's how come.

[C]

I don't have fear when I step in there.

[B]

Yeah, you told me that a long time ago. Well, you don't feel anything when you go into an octagon. And I thought to myself, this is crazy, because I was like, well, what do you feel walking into an octagon? He said, nothing at all. It's just still. And it's because of that, because you've accepted, hey, I've done everything I can do. If I win, great, that means the preparation worked. If I don't. It is what it is. I still did what I needed to do to put myself in the best position. But with that being said, right, this is a young guy that we just saw dominate, a guy that you had good fight with. And he is now saying that three and a half rounds, if that fight.

[C]

Goes in the fourth and fifth round, I kill him. Yeah.

[B]

And he's saying, I see by three rounds you're done. Nobody does that to you, though. Where's that confidence?

[C]

You better hope so.

[B]

Where's that confidence coming from?

[C]

I think it's probably what people are telling him around him. You know, I think he's reading too many comments on the Internet and I truly believe he thinks that. And I think that who the knows how could he pot? You know, he certainly isn't sure. And you know, I could say the same things, being 95% sure that I'm going to knock this kid out. But I don't. I don't. That's not how I talk. That's not how I think. I've convinced myself that he's going to hurt me and it allows me to be okay hurting him.

[B]

Were you surprised at how he went through Michael Chandler? Were you surprised?

[C]

No. No. Especially when I saw Michael Chandler trying to take him down in the first round. What a terrible decision.

[B]

Why? Why?

[C]

Because he only got one round in him in the first place and he's using it to try to take a guy down. That's a, a jiu jitsu player like you either knock them out or conserve energy. And we know Michael Taylor does not conserve energy. As much as I love the kid, you know, he ain't learned. He ain't learned nothing.

[B]

You know, you fought so many championship fights. You fought 25 minutes. You've been in there with the best of the best that this division has to offer for a really long time. Patty Pimblet hasn't fought a guy in the top 10 yet. Do you think that experience will play a part or in the top 10 right now? Mike might have been top 10 when they fought, but do you think that all of that experience will play a part in the way that this fight plays out for you this weekend?

[C]

Yeah, I can only hope so. Right. Ultimately, it doesn't matter. It's 25 minutes in time. That's all that matters is being perfect for 25 minutes. January 24th, probably around 8:15pm yeah.

[B]

Oh, it's, it's not. It's an hour earlier now. The, the fights will happen.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

They started 6pm Are you, did you do anything to prepare for that change of training times? Anything?

[C]

I only, I only trained during the day. Nighttime is for killing people. So this week I have, you know, started training around 8pm Justin, last time.

[B]

We spoke, you and I spoke about the last barn session we had and how dominant I was in this camp. Did you. In this camp. Shut up. Did you prepare? And do you feel like if we were to do it again, that you would stand a better chance of at least competing with me and Spartan?

[C]

I mean, you're a wrestler, so unfortunately, you're a heavyweight wrestler. So there's weight classes for a reason. And I think I would have difficult. A difficult time. Yeah, with your. With your big ass.

[B]

I think I will finish you. I mean, I'll finish it. You, man.

[C]

Like, what?

[B]

Double leg.

[C]

I'm finishing you so hard.

[B]

I'm finishing you.

[C]

Find your liver. I just gotta find your liver. I just don't know if I can create the. The amount of torque that I need to get through your body.

[B]

Oh, so you're calling me fat? Oh, how original. That's very original, Justin.

[C]

I didn't call you.

[B]

Exactly what you're alluding to. Hey, J.T. the first time you won the interim championship, he said, I don't really want this. This is not my goal. What is the response to becoming the interim champion on Saturday? Does it differ, being that you're much longer in your career?

[C]

Yeah, you know, the older, the wiser. I definitely. You know, that shit was weird. There was nobody. There was not one fan in the arena. That was probably a factor, you know, that nobody thinks about. It was def. It was different. It was during COVID I knew that Khabib was there. I knew how good Khabib was. So, I mean, even though I have Ilia after this, it's. It's different because ultimately I know that I achieved championship pay because undisputed and interim belt is the same on paper. And so I will appreciate that.

[B]

What do you make of the Armin thing?

[C]

Even though my friends like Daniel Cormier will lie and say, I'm getting more money.

[B]

Well, hey, what do you make of this whole situation with Sorukian? Like, what do you make of you win the belt on Saturday? You don't care.

[C]

I don't give a. Why would I care? Doesn't bother me. Doesn't affect me. Yeah, it is what it is. He shouldn't be headbutting people. He shouldn't be pulling out of fights the night before, before title fights. It is what it is. I think he's very good. I think he's very dangerous. I think all the guys in the top five can beat each other on any given night. And 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.

[B]

And you said. You said you would love the anxiety that a fight with the PORI would give you because you live for that adrenaline. You're kind of an adrenaline junkie. I've seen you do some crazy stuff outside of the public eye to just kind of scratch that itch. That's why I have a hard time believing that you'd be afraid of anything going into a fight. You do some crazy, man.

[C]

Yeah, I don't think I'll be afraid. I just think I'll be.

[B]

I'm talking about Patty this weekend. I'm talking about Patty this weekend.

[C]

I'm excited. I'm just more excited.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

What you. What some people call fear, I call excitement.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, because you're so crazy, too. I mean, I'm telling you. Last thing. Last thing before I let you go. Hey. Jorge Masvidal vs Conor McGregor at the White House. That's what you want.

[C]

You're like a. What are you talking about?

[B]

Is that what you want to see?

[C]

That's what I want to see. Why would you make that up for me?

[B]

No, because that's a fight that's potentially in the works.

[C]

No, no, I don't want to see that.

[B]

You're the biggest American star right now. You need to be on the White House guard, right?

[C]

Yeah. Well, if they're on the card, that doesn't affect me. I will still be on the card.

[B]

You're gonna be at the White House.

[C]

I will be on that card. 100%.

[B]

All right, man. Well, I'll hold that to you. Oh, my. Could you imagine the golf course we could play in Washington, D.C. if you're not. I'm rooting for you not being on the White House card so we can play Golf in Washington, D.C. me and.

[C]

Kayla Harrison will be fighting for a championship on the White House.

[B]

Book it's.

[C]

Book it.

[B]

Book it, guys.

[C]

Write down. Take a picture. I don't give a.

[B]

Guys, Justin Gaethje fights for the interim UFC lightweight championship this weekend against Patty the Baddie Pimblett at UFC 324. Make sure you get your Paramount plus subscription today. No more pay per view, guys. If you get your subscription, you get to watch the craziest human being walk in God's green earth, go into an octagon, and do exactly what he does every single time. Until next time, guys. Tell your friends to tell their friends that I've got a YouTube channel and I'm checking in with guys like the highlight, Justin Gaethje. Hey, bro. You know, today I was at this thing for pga. Five people, five came up to me and asked me about Dustin Jacoby. Dustin Jacoby's out there pretending he's the best golfer in the UFC. Five people.

[C]

He has the lowest handicap in the UFC. I'm a 6.5, he's a 6.2. Daniel Cormier is a 26.3. And it's crazy how many strokes we have to give you, but if you're. I mean, I've never missed a chance to tell people how bad you cheat. And that's a 26.3. While cheating, you've just yourself, you're really like a 30.2.

[B]

Good luck this weekend, fool. I'll talk to you next time. Until next time, guys.

[C]

Take your. Take your anxiety medication. I'm going to get your heart racing, buddy.

[B]

Yeah, I can't wait. I cannot wait in a man.

[C]

JG.

[B]

All right, good luck, buddy. Bye. Bye.

[A]

On June 11, 1998, a deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department went missing.

[B]

Hey, if they'll kill a cop and bury him, what are they gonna do to me?

[A]

What really happened to the missing deputy? Valley of Shadows, a new series from Pushkin Industries about crime and corruption. Corruption in California's high desert. Listen to Valley of shadows on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Back in 2016, we said, let's do a podcast. Little did we know it would last 10 years. I mean, but here's the thing. Stay out of the forest. You're in a cult. Call your dad. This is terrible. Keep going, you guys. Stay sexy. Don't get murdered. Elvis, do you want a cookie? A cookie? My favorite Murder turns 10 this month. Join us for new episodes every Thursday on the exactly Right network. Listen to my favorite murder on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Goodbye.

[B]

This show contains information subject to, but not limited to personal takes, rumors, not so accurate stats, and plenty more. What's up, man? It's your boy, Nab Green from the Broken Play podcast. Look, it's the end of the season. The playoffs are here. Guess what? It ain't the end of your season. You can always tune in with Broken Play Podcast with Nav Green on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Not a team who ain't going to the playoffs. The chief. It's time to rebuild. Listen to Broken Play with Nav Green from the Black Effect Podcast Network. On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

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What's up?

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It's Cam Jordan. I'm back with season three of your favorite podcast, the off the Edge with Cam Jordan Podcast. Tap in every Wednesday to hear conversations with my friends and stars for the NFL, the sports world in general, and entertainment about anything from teams and players making waves to pop culture. And I'll take you inside my journey through my 15th season in the NFL.

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Looking forward to you joining me this season.

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The season of More on the off the Edge with Cam Jordan Podcast. Catch new episodes every Wednesday on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage Store more and.

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