"Paddy Pimblett will be fighting for lightweight gold early next year, headlining UFC 324 in January. That was kind of, sort of expected, given "The Baddy" has an intense, heated rivalry with 155lb champ Ilia Topuria. It's not Topuria that Pimblett is fighting in barely two month's time, however. Rather, with Topuria taking a break from fighting, it's Justin Gaethje who Pimblett will face for an interim title. One that he plans on turning into undisputed gold soon enough."
""2026 is gonna be the biggest year of my life. I'm coming for that interim title, then I'll be making it the undisputed title when I come and beat Ilia Topuria up and take the undisputed title," Pimblett said in a recent clip posted by the UFC's social media channels. "And then little posh boy [Arman Tsarukyan], if he manages to fight in that time because he likes to sit out and say he's got a sore back. If little posh boy fights in that time and keeps his ranking, I'll punch his head in as well.""
Paddy Pimblett will fight Justin Gaethje for an interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in January. Ilia Topuria, the 155lb champion, is taking a break, so Gaethje fills the interim slot. Pimblett intends to convert the interim belt into undisputed gold by later defeating Topuria. Pimblett expects the January timing to disrupt his Christmas and birthday, but views the sacrifice as worthwhile for UFC gold. He anticipates critics to downplay an interim title and to offer excuses after any win, citing past dismissals and shifting expectations throughout his career.
Read at Cageside Press
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