An interim lightweight champion will be crowned on Jan. 24 in the UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett main event. Former interim titleholder Justin Gaethje faces No. 5 ranked Paddy Pimblett at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with both men looking to secure a title unification bout against champion Ilia Topuria.
Topuria announced last month that he was taking an extended break from fighting while he deals with going through a divorce.
“I won’t be fighting in the first quarter of next year. I’m going through a difficult moment in my personal life. I want to focus on my children and resolve this situation as soon as possible,” Topuria wrote on X on Nov. 27.
While the champion sorts through his personal troubles, Gaethje and Pimblett will fight for the interim title. Pimblett always knew he’d fight for the championship.
“I knew I’d end up fighting for the belt anyway, so to fight a legend like Gaethje for the interim belt it’s a – I’ve paid my dues to get this lad. So, I always knew I’d end up fighting for the title. I’ll win this interim belt and then I’ll beat Ilia up and take the proper belt, defend that, and then I’ll go up and f*cking win the welterweight belt,” Pimblett told Red Corner MMA.
Pimblett couldn’t be happier with Gaethje as an opponent, but doesn’t expect anything but respect in the event’s buildup.
“I’m not expecting no bad blood, no bitterness or nothing like that,” he said. “I’m met him before. We’ve shook hands. We’ve spoke. He’s very cordial.
“I really like Justin Gaethje. He’s your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter. Everyone likes watching Justin Gaethje fight. He’s never in a boring fight, and he’s a nice fella every time I’ve met him. I think it will be like the [Michael] Chandler buildup like everything is dead nice. But obviously, when that cage door shuts, lads, it’s kill or be killed,” continued Pimblett.
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Looking at the matchup and the fight, Pimblett doesn’t envision it going to a decision. In fact, he doesn’t see Gaethje making it past the third round.
“I know I’m going to come and win the belt, but obviously I want to have an entertaining fight. Don’t want to have a boring fight. I think it’s impossible when Justin Gaethje is in the other corner. You can’t not have a good fight when you’re fighting Justin Gaethje,” said Pimblett.
“I think everybody’s going to be shocked to be honest because I think I’m going to knock him out. People won’t expect that. People think I’m just going to try and grapple and take him down but I’m not. I’m going to come out and I’m going to put it on him,” he continued.
“I don’t see him getting past the third just like Chandler.:”
