LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 10: Paddy Pimblett of England stands in his corner as he’s introduced prior to facing Jared Gordon in a lightweight fight during the UFC 282 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 10, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
On Thanksgiving, UFC President Dana White announced that Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will square off for the UFC’s Interim Lightweight Championship at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. The announcement of an Interim Title Fight in the Lightweight Division is shocking in itself, with the champion Ilia Topuria announcing he will be out for the first quarter of 2026. However, the backlash to Gaethje versus Pimblett is unlike any UFC booking in recent memory.
“Interim title fight by the way that does not feature a #1 contender. because the number one contender at 155 lbs. is a guy named Arman Tsarukyan, and he’s not involved in this fight. And of course, the champion Ilia Topuria it is not involved in this fight. This is a makeshift fight. This is as prestigious as a BMF title.” – Ariel Helwani stated on his show following the announcement.
The outrage stems from the fact that Arman Tsarukyan, the division’s number one contender, was iced out of an interim title fight. The reaction is warranted. If Ilia Topuria is not defending his title, and an interim title is being booked as a placeholder, Arman Tsarukyan should be one of the two combatants in the octagon. So, what happened?
Did Arman Tsarukyan Cost Himself Title Fight?
Based on merit, Arman Tsarukyan should be fighting for the UFC Interim Lightweight Championship. The 29-year-old is riding a five-fight win streak with wins over Dan Hooker, Beneil Dariush, and former UFC champion Charles Oliveira. Tsarukyan has been the number one contender in the lightweight division since April 13th, 2024, when he defeated Charles Oliveira in a number one contender fight via split decision. Eighteen months as the number one contender without fighting for the title is a unique position to be in. There is no question that Tsarukyan was the biggest threat to Islam Makhachev’s title reign in the lightweight division, with Tsarukyan’s elite grappling and striking. Tsarukyan is also clearly the biggest threat to Topuria at 155 pounds. MMA fans want to see the best fight the best, and unfortunately, they will not be seeing that when Topuria defends his belt against the winner of Paddy Pimblett versus Justin Gaethje. The reason the UFC iced out Tsarukyan is simple: They do not trust him.
From a business perspective, Tsarukyan’s actions at UFC 300, UFC 311, and UFC Qatar are detrimental to the business. At UFC 300, he punches a fan during his walkout. The Nevada State Athletic Commission fines him $25,000 and suspends him for nine months. The suspension could have been reduced to six months if he had produced an anti-bullying PSA; he chose not to. From the UFC’s perspective, Tsarukyan’s altercation with a fan is bad PR for the brand, and he showed zero remorse for what could have led to a potential lawsuit against the UFC. Then, at UFC 311, he pulled out of his scheduled title fight with Islam Makhachev one day before the event due to a back injury sustained while cutting weight. It appears the UFC believes he did not make weight.
Renato Moicano stepped in to face Makhachev on short notice, but the integrity of the event was compromised in the process. People spent money on tickets and Pay Per View to watch a fight card headlined by Makhachev vs Tsarukyan, and one guy didn’t deliver. It was too late for the UFC to pivot to a higher-quality main event than Makhachev vs Moicano. At UFC Qatar, Tsarukyan nearly put another main event in jeopardy by headbutting Dan Hooker at the ceremonial weigh-ins. The UFC has always despised incidents in which a fighter has cost them money, compromised an event’s integrity, and damaged the UFC brand’s reputation. From a business perspective, Tsarukyan’s actions at UFC 300, UFC 311, and UFC Qatar are bad for business. As UFC 324 is the first event under the $7.7 billion Dollar Television Deal with Paramount, why would they start this new era by doing business with a fighter they do not trust?
Paddy Pimblett Represents a New Era
It truly does seem the UFC has abandoned booking fights based on who the best and rightful contender is and instead is booking fights based on popularity, which is terrible news for MMA purists. However, it is good business. Paramount has committed $1.1 billion to the UFC in 2026. David Ellison hopes that being the new home of the UFC can generate revenue by boosting subscriptions to Paramount Plus, and the UFC hopes this new TV deal will increase its brand exposure. An excellent way to make everyone happy is to put the biggest stars and the most exciting fighters at the top of the card.
A recurring discussion in the MMA community over the last two years has been the lack of star power within the UFC. The UFC, as a promotion, has taken a step back in promoting fighters in today’s social media-driven world, where fighters can build their own brands. There is no individual A-list Conor McGregor-like talent helping the UFC reach the mainstream audience. Paramount and the UFC will be hoping to find their next A-list star(s) in 2026, and Paddy Pimblett can be that guy. The 30-year-old Englishman is a promoter’s dream. Pimbkett’s popularity was evident from when he first came to the UFC. Following his UFC debut in 2021, he signed a seven-figure endorsement deal with Barstool Sports. His showmanship is reminiscent of prime Conor McGregor. Pimblett is already a global star and one of the most recognizable names in MMA—an outstanding Mixed Martial Artist with massive potential. There is no denying that. However, based on merit, he does not deserve the position he is in.
When Pimblett steps into the Octagon at UFC 324 against 37-year-old Justin Gaethje, it will be the youngest opponent Pimblett has faced since Jared Gordon at UFC 282. Pimblett’s first three wins have come against Tony Ferguson, King Green, and Michael Chandler, all of whom were 38 when they shared the Octagon with Pimblett. It would be naive to say Pimblett’s quick path to an interim title fight was easy, but it certainly was faster and easier than others. Fans hate the idea of a fighter getting an easy path to a title shot, but Pimblett would not be the first or the last.
“It just annoys me when people say I’m not deserving when Islam (Makhachev) got a title shot off beating Bobby Green, and I beat him faster. Oliveira just got another title shot off beating Chandler, who he went to decision with and nearly got finished with, when I beat Chandler up for three rounds and beat him like no one else has beaten before. People just have a different opinion when it’s me.” Paddy Pimblett told Sky Sports over the summer.
Does Paddy Pimblett deserve the opportunity to fight for the interim title at UFC 324? Absolutely not. However, he is one of the most marketable fighters in MMA and is in the right place at the right time with the UFC’s new Paramount Deal. A win over an aging Justin Gaethje sets up an epic grudge match between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett, two of the biggest names and marketable athletes in all of MMA. The UFC and Paramount see dollar signs when they look at Paddy Pimblett, and that is why he is in this position over Arman Tsarukyan. It is simply good business.
Interim Title Show 
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