Paddy Pimblett has outlined an bold path to turn into a two-division UFC champion following his interim light-weight title bout towards Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 on January 24, with the Liverpool fighter making clear that title defenses come earlier than any transfer up in weight.
Pimblett, who holds a 23-3 skilled file, will face former interim champion Gaethje in the primary occasion at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas. The bout headlines the UFC’s debut occasion on Paramount+ beneath a brand new $7.7 billion broadcast deal. The winner is predicted to face Ilia Topuria for the undisputed light-weight championship later in 2026.
Paddy Pimblett Targets Two-Division Gold After UFC 324 Interim Title Combat
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Pimblett defined his long-term plan for championship success. When requested to explain the present chapter of his profession, he responded: “Champ time. I’m about to win this belt”. The 30-year-old fighter made clear his intention to determine dominance at 155 kilos earlier than pursuing a second title.
“I want to be champ-champ, but title defenses come first,” Pimblett stated. “You can’t go up and be champ‑champ if you don’t defend your title and prove that you’re the best in that division. I don’t want to be around that long chasing Jon Jones’ record or Demetrious Johnson’s record. I don’t want to be fighting until I’m 40.”
Pimblett’s championship ambitions extend to welterweight, where Islam Makhachev at present holds the title after transferring up from light-weight. Chatting with Pink Nook MMA in December, Pimblett laid out his imaginative and prescient: “I’ll win this interim belt. Then I’ll beat up Ilia and take the correct belt, defend that, after which I’ll go up and win the welterweight belt.”
The trail to UFC 324 accelerated when Topuria introduced in November that he wouldn’t compete within the first quarter of 2026 as a consequence of private issues. Topuria, who captured the light-weight title by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June 2025, acknowledged he needed to concentrate on his kids and resolve a troublesome state of affairs in his private life. The UFC opted to create an interim title battle moderately than delay the division.
Gaethje, ranked fourth at light-weight, brings expertise in interim title conditions. The 38-year-old beforehand received interim gold by defeating Tony Ferguson in 2020 earlier than dropping a unification bout to Khabib Nurmagomedov. With a 26-5 file and 20 knockout victories, Gaethje represents the most important take a look at of Pimblett’s UFC profession.
Pimblett enters the bout ranked fifth within the light-weight division after seven consecutive UFC victories. His most up-to-date win got here through third-round technical knockout over Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in April 2025.
Pimblett Explains Why He Gained’t Chase Jon Jones’ Title Protection Report
Regardless of his championship objectives, Pimblett made clear he doesn’t intend to pursue prolonged title reigns. When requested if he would chase the title protection data held by Jon Jones (13 defenses throughout divisions) or Demetrious Johnson (11 consecutive flyweight defenses), he dismissed the thought.
“I don’t wish to be round that lengthy chasing Jon Jones’ file or Demetrious Johnson’s file,” Pimblett mentioned. “I don’t wish to be preventing till I’m 40”. The assertion separates his method from champions who’ve dominated divisions for years by a number of title defenses.
The interim title fight at UFC 324 takes place amid a shifting light-weight panorama. Arman Tsarukyan, ranked first within the division, defeated Dan Hooker in November and has been vocal about deserving a title shot. Tsarukyan’s exclusion from the interim title bout has drawn criticism from some observers who view Pimblett’s choice as premature given his lack of wins over top-10 opponents.
Pimblett’s unbeaten UFC run started with a first-round knockout of Luigi Vendramini in September 2021. He has since earned 5 Efficiency of the Night time bonuses, together with wins over Rodrigo Vargas, Jordan Leavitt, King Inexperienced, and Chandler. His seven UFC victories have come with out reaching the judges’ scorecards in six of these bouts.
