Overview
- Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje for a newly created interim lightweight belt at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 at T-Mobile Arena, the opener of the UFC’s Paramount era, with the winner expected to meet Ilia Topuria if he returns.
- Pimblett said Topuria should vacate the undisputed title if he is out long-term to avoid stalling the division, referencing Tom Aspinall’s wait during the Jon Jones situation.
- He floated that Alexander Volkanovski might pursue lightweight gold if Pimblett wins and is upgraded to undisputed champion, though he added he does not want to fight Volkanovski.
- Pimblett proposed allowing knees and soccer kicks to the head of grounded opponents during a discussion with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
- In camp updates, Pimblett postponed his birthday celebration until after UFC 324 and was briefly submitted by a teammate in his gym’s annual BJJ tournament before recovering.