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

• 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)

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.

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)

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)

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.