Overview
- Paddy Pimblett (23-3) and Justin Gaethje (26-5) meet for the interim lightweight belt in Las Vegas, with the winner expected to unify with champion Ilia Topuria after his personal leave.
- Paramount+ marks the UFC’s new U.S. home for all numbered-event bouts, which now start an hour earlier than past schedules.
- The Harrison–Nunes women’s bantamweight title bout was removed due to Harrison’s neck injury, and Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong has been elevated to the co-main event.
- Alexander Volkanovski has publicly picked Pimblett to win, while Gaethje says he will “turn him into a wrestler” and previously insisted on a title opportunity before considering his future.
- Debate over Pimblett’s title legitimacy has grown with viral workout clips drawing criticism, and fans have questioned bout placement after Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo landed off the main card.