Overview
- Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett headline UFC 324 for the interim lightweight belt on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas with champion Ilia Topuria on hiatus.
- Coach Trevor Wittman said, “This is our last run,” indicating Gaethje could retire if he loses rather than continue as a gatekeeper.
- Dana White confirmed Tsarukyan’s weigh-in headbutt was “100 percent” a factor in passing him over, citing a pattern that includes a fan-strike fine and a prior late withdrawal.
- White said the winner is expected to face Topuria to unify titles, though he cautioned, “We’ll see how that plays out throughout the year.”
- Tsarukyan is staying active in grappling and is in talks for a February match with retired star Dustin Poirier, while tensions flared as Pimblett and Dan Hooker traded personal barbs; Daniel Cormier questioned Tsarukyan’s exclusion.