There are rising stars, there are hype trains, and then there’s Paddy Pimblett—a singular phenomenon who’s systematically transforming UFC’s lightweight division into his personal stage. From the streets of Liverpool to the glare of pay-per-view headliners, “The Baddy” has torn through nine straight opponents without tasting defeat inside the Octagon, leaving sceptics in his wake and highlight reels burning with his name. April’s demolition of the durable Michael Chandler was the moment the whispers became roars, and a maiden title challenge is now just around the corner.
Many had suggested that a crunch clash against longtime rival and reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria could be up next for Pimblett, despite him only being considered the fifth-best 155-pound fighter in the world according to the UFC’s rankings. However, with the Georgia-born Spaniard stating that he will take some time out of the Octagon for personal reasons, the shape of the entire division was left up in the air. As ever, though, the UFC brass acted quickly, and the Baddy’s immediate future is now confirmed.
Interim Title on the Line as Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje Headlines UFC 324
With Topuria on the shelf until at least midway through 2026, the UFC had to try to keep the lightweight division moving, especially with a slew of contenders starting to circle. Justin Gaethje’s “title shot or bust” ultimatum has been branded around ever since his hard-fought win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313, and now the Highlight gets his shot. Albeit not against the opponent he thought he would face.
The battle-tested American will face off with Britain’s Pimblett at UFC 324 in Las Vegas, with an interim title on the line. The winner will surely then go on and face Topuria to unify the gold, once El Matador confirms his return to the Octagon. And even though the fight has only just been announced, online betting sites already have their odds priced up ahead of January 24th’s high-stakes clash.
The early UFC betting lines currently list Pimblett as a narrow 1.44 favourite, with Gaethje a live 2.87 underdog. Perhaps that is somewhat surprising, especially considering the differing calibre of opposition the two title protagonists have faced in recent contests. Gaethje has faced a murderer’s row of opponents over the last five years or so, facing the likes of Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and the all-time great Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Pimblett’s resume is much more modest, with the biggest name being that victory over Chandler back in April. However, he does have youth on his side. The Baddy is seventeen years his rivals’ younger, and that additional energy could well be the reason for him being installed as the betting favourite.
Arman Tsarukyan Out in the Cold
While Pimblett and Gaethje get their respective wish, namely a clash for the lightweight title, a huge shadow looms over the fight in the form of Arman Tsarukyan. The Armenian has amassed a record of 23-3, catapulting him to the top of the lightweight rankings. The 28-year-old remains the division’s technician par excellence—a marathon man with an Olympic-wrestling backbone and a newly tested finishing touch, seen in his clinical submission of Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar. Statistically, Tsarukyan posts the highest takedown and control time metrics in the division, a persistent nightmare for all-comers.
ARMAN TSARUKYAN WITH A LETHAL SQUEEZE! 🐍👀
What a way to wrap up an epic day of fights! 😎#UFCQatar
— Bodog (@BodogCA) November 22, 2025
The man nicknamed “Ahalkalakets” let his feelings known on X (formerly known as Twitter) as soon as the fight was announced, simply posting: “Make it make sense.” Before the announcement, he had also told Ariel Helwani, “It’s 100% me—no way they give Paddy the fight; everybody will laugh.” Yet the UFC’s bias for the blockbuster was seemingly the ace up Pimblett’s sleeve, and it is indeed the VBrit who gets the shot, despite Tsarukyan’s comments.
The powers that be will argue that Tsarukyan had his chance. The Armenian was scheduled to face off against former champion Islam Makhachev before the Dagestani supremo moved up to welterweight, with the two slated to clash at UFC 311 for the title back in January. On the eve of his maiden title challenge, however, Tsarukyan pulled out, citing a back injury sustained while cutting weight, with Renato Moicano ultimately having to step up on barely 24 hours’ notice.
Following his victory against Hooker on November 22nd, the number one-ranked lightweight in the world stated that he was raring to go for a quick turnaround and compete for the gold. Instead, however, the UFC has gone in a different direction, granting Gaethje his title shot rather than allowing him to leave the company, while also handing Pimblett a guilt-edged opportunity on a silver platter. Where Tsarukyan slots back into the title picture after this fight and following Topuria’s return remains to be seen.
What of the Champion?
Few can argue that Ilia Topuria remains a deserving champion, despite his ongoing hiatus. His run of three straight knockouts against all-time greats Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira led to him becoming a two-weight world champion, claiming the gold at both featherweight and lightweight, albeit not simultaneously. He has long campaigned for a clash with now-welterweight champion Islam Makhachev in a blockbuster fight, which is arguably the biggest potential meeting the UFC can book in 2026.
Still, as he himself said on X, he cannot (and does not wish to) hold up the division. He has confirmed that he will not be fighting throughout the first quarter of next year. With Pimblett and Gaethje squaring off in January, expect the winner of that clash to battle El Matador in a unification fight at some point next summer.
