Overview
- UFC 324 on January 24 will feature Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, with the winner positioned to unify with Ilia Topuria upon his return.
- Dana White defended bypassing No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan, saying he "doesn’t give a s—t" about the ranking and that Tsarukyan must work back after withdrawing from an Islam Makhachev title bout.
- Pimblett publicly criticized Tsarukyan on Full Send MMA, citing the Oliveira decision, the NSAC suspension over a fan-punch incident, a back-injury pullout, and past matchup refusals.
- Tsarukyan fired back on X by calling Pimblett a "fraud," said the UFC told him the choice was a business decision, and set a December 30 grappling match at HYPE FC in Armenia to stay active.
- Gaethje acknowledged Tsarukyan’s situation, saying it "sucks to be him" but predicting the contender will get his chance.