Overview
- Justin Gaethje confirmed he refused Arman Tsarukyan’s offer to assist his camp, citing future matchup concerns and trust in his current team.
- Gaethje said he has focused heavily on jiu-jitsu and grappling since past submission losses and even floated the possibility of submitting Paddy Pimblett.
- UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas features Gaethje vs. Pimblett for the interim lightweight belt, with the winner positioned to unify with champion Ilia Topuria after his hiatus.
- Islam Makhachev said Tsarukyan should have received the title shot and urged him to stay patient as the division moves toward a Gaethje–Pimblett winner facing Topuria.
- Dana White reiterated that Tsarukyan must “work his way back,” while concurrent bookings such as Charles Oliveira vs. Max Holloway at UFC 326 further crowd the contender path.