Overview
- Manager Ali Abdelaziz says the promotion will wait for UFC 322’s Makhachev–Della Maddalena outcome and Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker before booking the lightweight title defense.
- Abdelaziz reiterates Justin Gaethje’s threat to retire if Paddy Pimblett is selected for the next title shot over him.
- Paddy Pimblett publicly asserts he would beat Topuria and remains linked to an unconfirmed title bout tied to the Paramount+ launch card in early 2026.
- Islam Makhachev is officially set to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight belt at UFC 322 on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden, with Tsarukyan vs. Hooker slated Nov. 22 in Qatar as a lightweight eliminator.
- Abdelaziz criticizes Pimblett’s recent opposition as a combined 0–13 and, along with Makhachev, points to Tsarukyan or Gaethje as more deserving options than Pimblett.