Overview
- Dana White confirmed Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for an interim lightweight title atop UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas as the promotion begins its Paramount+ era.
- Ilia Topuria announced a hiatus for personal reasons that prompted creation of the interim belt, then urged Pimblett to “win your next fight” and mocked No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan on social media.
- Tsarukyan, bypassed despite a recent win in Qatar, publicly questioned the booking and suggested in an ESPN interview that the hiatus and matchmaking serve a UFC plan to elevate Pimblett.
- Alexander Volkanovski will defend against Diego Lopes in a rematch at UFC 325 on Jan. 31 in Sydney; Volkanovski said Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy are more deserving but acknowledged the UFC “really wanted Lopes.”
- Diego Lopes’ manager cited Lopes’ recent performance, crowd reaction and willingness to accept fights as factors in the title shot, while fans decried the selections and some threatened to boycott the Paramount+ kickoff cards.