Ali Akbar Rosady
Justin Gaethje secured the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) interim lightweight title for the second time following his victory over Paddy Pimblett in the main event of UFC 324, held this past weekend in Las Vegas. Despite achieving a significant milestone in a highly competitive division, Gaethje has publicly expressed mixed sentiments regarding the interim championship, emphasizing his ultimate pursuit of the undisputed lightweight crown.
The veteran fighter, known for his aggressive style and numerous "Fight of the Night" accolades, articulated his complex feelings in an interview with ONX Sports. "It’s quite the conundrum because I’m not satisfied because it is in my mind still second place," Gaethje stated, reflecting a perspective common among interim titleholders who view the belt as a provisional step rather than the ultimate prize. This sentiment underscores the inherent hierarchy within championship structures, where the interim designation, by definition, acknowledges the presence of a reigning undisputed champion.
Gaethje’s journey with interim titles began in May 2020 at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida. On that occasion, he delivered a dominant performance, stopping then-unbeaten Tony Ferguson via fifth-round technical knockout. The victory not only snapped Ferguson’s impressive 12-fight winning streak but also earned Gaethje his first interim lightweight championship. However, immediately after receiving the belt, Gaethje notably discarded it on the canvas, a symbolic gesture indicating that for him, the interim title served primarily as a "ticket" to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov, the reigning undisputed lightweight champion at the time. That highly anticipated unification bout materialized at UFC 254 in October 2020, where Gaethje ultimately succumbed to Nurmagomedov via second-round submission.
The experience of winning and subsequently losing a unification bout against a dominant champion has evidently shaped Gaethje’s current outlook. His recent triumph over Pimblett at UFC 324 re-establishes him as the interim champion, positioning him once again as the next in line for a shot at the undisputed belt, currently held by Ilia Topuria. Topuria is presently sidelined due to personal matters, specifically dealing with his divorce, which necessitated the creation of an interim championship to maintain activity and clear championship contention within the lightweight division.
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Gaethje acknowledged the dual nature of his achievement, recognizing its historical significance while maintaining his personal ambition. "However, I do know that it was a great achievement, especially for you guys. In history, I’m going to be a two-time interim champ, which on paper makes me a champion, which there’s so many good things," he elaborated on ONX Sports. This perspective highlights the objective value of the interim title in the UFC’s record books and its role in elevating a fighter’s status within the promotion. Holding a UFC belt, even an interim one, comes with increased visibility, financial incentives, and a stronger bargaining position for future fights.
Despite these tangible benefits, Gaethje reiterated his internal struggle with the "second place" status. He emphasized that the mental hurdle of not being the sole, undisputed champion remains. "Although Gaethje says there are good things to come with holding a UFC belt, even an interim one, he can’t wrap his head around the fact that there’s still one man sitting at the top of the division – and many will not consider him a real champion unless he beats that fighter." This reflects the prevailing narrative in combat sports, where true championship status is often reserved for those who unify the belts or defeat the perceived king of the division.
"I could be an optimist about this," Gaethje mused during the interview. "I’m always an optimist, but in this one specific area I have to be a pessimist for now and not be content because obviously, same as last time, I’m going to be fighting for the belt now, which I’m very happy that that is what comes from this interim championship." His pragmatic approach underscores that while the interim title itself may not bring ultimate satisfaction, its function as a mandatory gateway to the undisputed title is precisely what he seeks. The interim belt, in his view, is a means to an end: a guaranteed shot at Topuria.
The victory over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 was a crucial step for Gaethje. Pimblett, a popular and undefeated fighter entering the bout, presented a significant challenge and a high-profile opponent. Gaethje’s decisive win not only secured the interim title but also solidified his position as a dominant force in the lightweight division, improving his professional record to 26 wins and 4 losses. His prior performances, including a "Fight of the Year" contender against Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 in July 2023, where he won the symbolic "BMF" (Baddest Motherf***er) title with a second-round head kick knockout, demonstrated his continued evolution and elite striking prowess. Before that, he challenged Charles Oliveira for the undisputed lightweight title at UFC 274 in May 2022, losing via first-round submission, another experience that likely fuels his drive for undisputed gold.
The path forward for Gaethje is now clear: a unification bout against Ilia Topuria. Topuria, who captured the undisputed lightweight title by defeating Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024, has an undefeated professional record of 15 wins and no losses. His rise to the top has been marked by precision striking, powerful knockouts, and an unblemished career, making him a formidable opponent for any contender. Topuria had previously indicated that he would return to action sometime between April and June to unify the belts against the winner of the Gaethje vs. Pimblett fight. However, as of the time of this report, the UFC has yet to provide an official confirmation or specific date for this highly anticipated championship unification bout.
Gaethje acknowledged the immediate benefits of his interim title win, stating, "It moves me up the rankings. It goes number one champion and then, boom, me right underneath, intercontinental champ. I mean, that is huge. I know that I have the biggest fight of my life and another fight in the future, so that’s exciting. I love that I earned that. And, outside that, it’s hard to take it for what it is." The reference to "intercontinental champ" might be a colloquialism, but the essence of his statement emphasizes the elevated status and the certainty of a championship challenge that the interim belt confers.
The UFC lightweight division remains one of the most talent-rich and competitive weight classes in mixed martial arts. With top contenders like Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and Dustin Poirier consistently vying for supremacy, Gaethje’s position as interim champion places him at the very apex of this challenging landscape. His ability to secure a second interim title is a rare feat in UFC history, underscoring his consistency at the elite level and his resilience in navigating a division filled with potential champions. For Gaethje, the interim belt is a testament to his continued excellence, but the undisputed title remains the ultimate objective to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest lightweight fighters in UFC history. The mixed feelings surrounding his latest accomplishment are a clear indicator that for "The Highlight," the job is not yet finished until he stands alone at the summit of the 155-pound division.
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