Las Vegas: Paddy Pimblett will take on Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324 on 24 January in Las Vegas, marking one of the biggest fights of the Liverpool star’s career.
The bout was confirmed shortly after reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria announced he would be unavailable to compete in the first quarter of 2026 due to a “difficult moment” in his personal life. The Georgian-Spaniard, who captured the title by knocking out Charles Oliveira in July, said he wants to focus on his children before returning to action.
“I don’t want to hold up the division… As soon as matters are resolved, I’ll let the UFC know I’m ready,” Topuria shared on X.
Pimblett Gets His First Title Shot
Pimblett, 30, enters the interim title fight ranked fifth in the lightweight division. He extended his UFC winning streak to seven after stopping Michael Chandler in April, further boosting his popularity both inside and outside the octagon. His charismatic persona and strong advocacy for men’s mental health have made him one of the organisation’s most marketable stars.
However, Pimblett’s title shot has raised eyebrows as he has yet to secure a win over any fighter currently inside the top 10.
Gaethje Eyes Second Interim Belt
Justin Gaethje, 37, sits fourth in the rankings and brings significant championship pedigree. The American last competed in March, defeating Rafael Fiziev via unanimous decision. Gaethje previously won the interim lightweight title in 2020 with a dominant victory over Tony Ferguson before falling to Khabib Nurmagomedov in a unification bout.
Despite Pimblett’s popularity, several contenders believed to be ahead in the queue — including Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, and Max Holloway — were bypassed in favour of the British star. Tsarukyan, currently ranked number one, recently defeated Dan Hooker in Qatar and pushed for a fight against Topuria.
Hooker also questioned Pimblett’s rise up the rankings, claiming the UFC was “cherry-picking him for a title shot.”
Historic Event for UFC
UFC 324 at the T-Mobile Arena will be the organisation’s first event under its new seven-year partnership with Paramount, signaling a move away from its traditional pay-per-view distribution model.
The co-main event is equally electrifying, featuring bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison defending her title against legendary former double-champion Amanda Nunes, who is returning from retirement after stepping away in 2023.
With Gaethje and Pimblett set to clash and Nunes making a blockbuster comeback, UFC 324 promises to be one of the most anticipated cards of the new era.
