"Paddy Pimblett doesn't want to be in a situation like Tom Aspinall was. Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is going through a divorce and has taken a short hiatus from the sport. Meanwhile, Pimblett will fight Justin Gaethje for an interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. Pimblett (23-3) is concerned about the immediate future if he beats Gaethje (26-5) at UFC 324."
"People are saying it could get messy and it could end up being like two years. If he's gonna sit out for that long I'd rather him just vacate and stop holding the division up. But I do want to fight him... I want to beat Ilia though and show everyone that I can beat him. But at the same time, if he's gonna have me waiting like Tom was waiting for Jon, then no."
Paddy Pimblett will face Justin Gaethje for the interim UFC lightweight title at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. Ilia Topuria, the undisputed lightweight champion, is on a short hiatus while going through a divorce, creating uncertainty about when he will return. Pimblett wants to beat Gaethje but fears a long layoff if Topuria remains absent and forces a lengthy wait for a unification fight. Pimblett would rather Topuria vacate the title than stall the division. Tom Aspinall’s interim-title experience and delayed unification with Jon Jones serves as a cautionary example.
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