The UFC lightweight division is set for a seismic shift as Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett prepare to clash for the interim title at UFC 324, scheduled for January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This event isn’t just another pay-per-view—it's the UFC’s debut on Paramount+, marking the dawn of a new broadcast era for the promotion. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the anticipation is palpable among fans and fighters alike.
Both Gaethje and Pimblett come into this bout with unique storylines and immense fan followings. For Gaethje, nicknamed “The Highlight,” this is a chance to reclaim interim gold, having first tasted it with his memorable victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. The Arizona native is renowned for his all-action style, never shying away from a brawl. Yet, as the big night approaches, Gaethje’s training methods have raised eyebrows. In a recent episode of his YouTube series, Art of Violence, he was seen narrowly avoiding a head injury while playing a game with teammates—a close call that, had it gone wrong, could have forced him out of the bout. Given UFC president Dana White’s history of blasting fighters for risky training mishaps, it’s safe to say the brass would have been furious had disaster struck. Fortunately, Gaethje emerged unscathed, and the fight remains on track.
Paddy Pimblett, affectionately known as “The Baddy,” has rocketed to stardom in recent years, transcending his Liverpool roots to become a global MMA phenomenon. Once criticized for taking too much damage in his early UFC run, Pimblett has silenced doubters with impressive stoppages of King Green and Michael Chandler, positioning himself as a legitimate contender. His crossover appeal, particularly in the United States, has made him a marketing dream for the UFC, and his brash persona ensures he’s never far from the headlines.
The build-up to UFC 324 has been amplified by the absence of reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. The Spanish superstar, who has stopped Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira in consecutive fights, is widely considered one of the best fighters on the planet. Yet, Topuria is currently on personal leave, dealing with ongoing legal issues involving his ex-wife. While sidelined, he hasn’t hesitated to stoke the competitive fires, singling out Pimblett as a potential challenger and keeping his name in the mix for future unification bouts.
With Topuria temporarily out of the picture, the UFC opted for a blockbuster interim title fight between Gaethje and Pimblett. The decision wasn’t without controversy. Arman Tsarukyan, who boasts a stellar 23-3 MMA record, was overlooked for the interim title shot. Instead, Tsarukyan has been keeping busy with grappling matches and is set to face Lance Palmer at RAF 5 on January 10, 2026, in Florida. His exclusion from the title picture stems from a series of setbacks: he withdrew from a title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, was fined $25,000 and suspended for nine months after punching a fan at UFC 300, and headbutted Dan Hooker during weigh-ins at UFC Fight Night 265. Shara Magomedov, reflecting on Tsarukyan’s predicament, remarked, “The UFC got new sponsorships with Paramount (broadcast deal), so they need Western audiences, Western fans... Gaethje is a seasoned veteran... Pimblett is an Englishman as far as I know. I haven't seen his fights, but he's got some great hype. So it's a fairly interesting matchup. Arman was given his chance, and the fact he missed it played a dirty joke on him.”
As the interim title showdown draws closer, the MMA world is buzzing with predictions and analysis. Urijah Faber, the former WEC featherweight king and UFC Hall of Famer, has thrown his support behind Gaethje. Speaking to Helen Yee, Faber explained, “I got to go with Gaethje. I feel like he’s the one that enjoys a knockdown, drag-out more than the other guy. Not that Paddy Pimblett doesn’t love to fight, it’s just Gaethje loves to actually get down and throw fist for fist, and he’s also got the Division 1 wrestling to kind of negate some of the biggest skillsets of Paddy. Paddy is a very dominant grappler when it comes to submissions and being aggressive with that. I think Gaethje has the tools to keep it where he wants, and I think that’s going to give him an edge.”
Yet, not everyone agrees with Faber’s assessment. Tony Ferguson, one of only two fighters to have faced both Gaethje and Pimblett, offered a different perspective in an interview with Ariel Helwani: “Paddy wins, only because Justin doesn’t want another interim belt. Paddy’s not bad, dude. Paddy’s not bad. He’s very beatable. And Gaethje is very beatable as well. But when it goes into the passion and how upsetting Justin Gaethje has always been about not getting that real title shot, and they just keep dangling it right there again. I mean, Paddy’s in for a new treat, right? Paddy’s the one that’s never fought for a belt.”
Oddsmakers, meanwhile, slightly favor Pimblett. According to FanDuel, “The Baddy” is a -215 favorite, while Gaethje sits as a +164 underdog. This betting line reflects Pimblett’s recent surge in form and the perception that his grappling could pose significant problems for Gaethje. Fans and pundits alike are divided, with some pointing to Gaethje’s Division I wrestling pedigree as a potential equalizer against Pimblett’s aggressive submission game. While Gaethje has rarely showcased his wrestling offensively in the UFC, the possibility of him tapping into that background adds yet another layer of intrigue to an already compelling contest.
Beyond the main event, UFC 324 promises a stacked card, including a women’s bantamweight mega-fight between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes. But there’s no question that all eyes will be on the lightweight headliner, as two of the sport’s most charismatic and dangerous fighters vie for interim gold and a future shot at Topuria’s undisputed crown.
The road to UFC 324 hasn’t been without its twists and turns—training scares, controversial snubs, and legal drama have all played a part. But as fight night approaches, the only certainty is that fans are in for a wild ride. Will Gaethje’s relentless aggression and wrestling edge carry the day, or will Pimblett’s momentum and submission prowess prove too much? One thing’s for sure: the lightweight division has never felt more alive.
With the interim title up for grabs and a future unification bout with Topuria looming, the stakes at UFC 324 are sky-high. As Gaethje and Pimblett make their final preparations, the world waits to see which star will seize the moment and step into the spotlight as the new face of the division.
