Overview
- Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett meet for the interim lightweight title on Jan. 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, headlining the UFC’s Paramount+ debut with the winner slated for a unification bout.
- Referee Marc Goddard will oversee the main event, with judges Mike Bell, Derek Cleary and Sal D’Amato assigned by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
- Sportsbooks have installed Pimblett as the favorite, with odds reported around -230 to -250 and Gaethje the underdog.
- Dustin Poirier and several peers publicly favor Gaethje, predicting a stoppage based on his five-round experience and power, while Pimblett forecasts a finish by submission or ground-and-pound.
- Pimblett has pushed back on Ilia Topuria’s suggested April return, indicating he would target a June or July unification if he wins.