Ali Akbar RosadyLiverpool, England – UFC lightweight contender Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett has articulated ambitious plans for 2026, commencing with a highly anticipated interim lightweight title bout against veteran Justin Gaethje. The UFC recently confirmed on Thanksgiving the booking for UFC 324, scheduled for January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, marking Pimblett’s inaugural championship opportunity within the promotion.
Pimblett, known for his charismatic persona and a perfect 6-0 record inside the Octagon, expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge and his consistent trajectory toward proving skeptics incorrect. "Me and Gaethje now for the world title," Pimblett stated in a video released by the UFC. He acknowledged the interim nature of the belt, anticipating criticism, but emphasized the significance of the moment. "It’s interim, people are going to say, ‘Ah, it’s only interim,’ this and that, but I’m fighting for the world title. People said I’d never be ranked. People said I’d never do this, never do that. The goalposts always get moved with me. It’s normal."
The 29-year-old fighter reflected on a career marked by persistent underestimation, citing numerous past predictions of his downfall. "Once I finish Gaethje, it’s going to be, ‘Oh, he was 37, he was retiring anyway, he’s on his way out, he’s being handed the title shot.’ All this bullshit," Pimblett remarked, preempting future critiques. He recounted a litany of past doubts, from his UFC debut against Luigi Vendramini in September 2021, where he was predicted to be knocked out, to subsequent challenges against Jordan Leavitt, Jared Gordon, Bobby Green, and Michael Chandler. "Now, it’s ‘Justin Gaethje’s going to knock him out.’ But once I beat him, it will be, ‘Oh, he was old,’ he’s this, he’s that. I’m used to it." Pimblett firmly asserted his evolution as a fighter, declaring, "People think I’m still the same fighter who came in and fought Vendramini back in September 2021, when I’m a whole different animal."
Pimblett’s journey in the UFC has been a blend of widespread popularity and analytical scrutiny. A former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion, his transition to the UFC lightweight division generated significant hype. Despite maintaining an undefeated record within the promotion, several of his victories have drawn criticism regarding their decisive nature. His unanimous decision win over Jared Gordon in December 2022, for instance, was particularly controversial, with many media outlets and professional analysts scoring the fight for Gordon. Subsequent wins against former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson, "King" Bobby Green, and Michael Chandler, while adding significant names to his resume, have also faced questions regarding the age and recent form of his opponents. His professional mixed martial arts record currently stands at 22 wins and 3 losses, with 6 wins and no losses in the UFC.
Related News :
- Jim Irsay’s Historic Collection, Valued at Over $1 Billion, to be Auctioned by Christie’s
- UFC 323: Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili to Pursue Historic Fourth Title Defense Against Petr Yan in Las Vegas Main Event
- Arman Tsarukyan Eyes Immediate Lightweight Title Shot Against Ilia Topuria Following Pivotal UFC Qatar Bout
- UFC Set to Conclude 2024 Season with Bantamweight and Flyweight Title Showdowns, Pioneering New Broadcast Era on Paramount+ in 2025
- Last-minute pickups for Week 11: Joe Flacco, Devin Singletary among top options
The interim title bout against Justin Gaethje represents a substantial step up in competition and a definitive test of Pimblett’s capabilities against a top-tier lightweight. Gaethje, 35, holds a professional record of 26 wins and 5 losses and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and dangerous fighters in the sport. Known for his aggressive, high-volume striking and incredible resilience, "The Highlight" has earned multiple Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses throughout his career. He is a former interim lightweight champion himself, having won the belt against Tony Ferguson in May 2020, and recently captured the symbolic ‘BMF’ (Baddest Motherf***er) title by knocking out Dustin Poirier in July 2023. Gaethje has faced and defeated a murderers’ row of contenders including Michael Chandler, Rafael Fiziev, and Edson Barboza, making him a formidable challenge for any fighter in the 155-pound division. His experience in championship fights, including two attempts at the undisputed lightweight title against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, provides a stark contrast to Pimblett’s nascent title aspirations.
The timing of the fight presents a personal sacrifice for Pimblett, who will be competing in January for the first time in his career. "First ever time I’ve fought in January," he noted. "Earliest I’ve ever fought. It’s going to ruin me Christmas dinner and me birthday, because I’m going to be 31 three weeks before it, but it’s all going to be worth it when I lift that world title above me head, and Paddy the Baddy is a world champion." This dedication underscores the gravity of the opportunity and his commitment to securing UFC gold.
Looking beyond the interim title, Pimblett’s vision for 2026 extends to consolidating his position at the pinnacle of the sport and engaging in high-profile matchups. "2026 is going to be the biggest year of me life," he declared. "I am coming for that interim title, then I’ll be making it the undisputed title when I come and beat Ilia Topuria up and take the undisputed title."
This statement introduces an intriguing element to Pimblett’s future plans. Ilia Topuria, 27, currently holds the UFC Featherweight Championship, boasting an undefeated professional record of 15 wins. Known for his powerful striking and elite grappling, Topuria claimed the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024. While a direct challenge for the lightweight undisputed title against a featherweight champion is unconventional, it signals Pimblett’s ambition for a potential "super-fight" should Topuria decide to move up a weight class, or if Pimblett aims for a cross-divisional encounter. The lightweight division’s undisputed champion would be the primary target for Pimblett after an interim title win, with Topuria representing a significant and compelling future opponent.
Pimblett also set his sights on another prominent lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan. "And little posh boy [Arman Tsarukyan] – if he manages to fight in that time, because he likes sitting out and saying he’s got a sore back – if little posh boy fights in that time and keeps his ranking, I’ll punch his head in as well." Tsarukyan, 27, is currently ranked highly in the lightweight division with a professional record of 22 wins and 3 losses. Known for his well-rounded skill set, particularly his wrestling and relentless pace, Tsarukyan has emerged as one of the division’s most dangerous prospects. He holds significant victories over Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira, and famously pushed current undisputed lightweight champion Islam Makhachev to a competitive decision in 2019, showcasing his elite potential. Tsarukyan’s relatively conservative fight schedule has been a point of contention for some, including Pimblett, but his consistent performances have positioned him as a strong candidate for a future title shot.
The upcoming UFC 324 event in Las Vegas will serve as the opening chapter of Pimblett’s ambitious 2026 narrative. With a challenging opponent in Justin Gaethje and a clear vision for unification and future marquee matchups, "The Baddy" is poised to either solidify his contender status or face the harsh realities of the UFC’s notoriously competitive lightweight division. The journey to become an undisputed champion and engage with the likes of Topuria and Tsarukyan hinges on his performance in what he anticipates will be the biggest year of his life.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMANovember 29, 2025Dvalishvili Defends Bantamweight Title with Dominant Grappling Display Against Sandhagen at UFC 320
MMANovember 29, 2025Paddy Pimblett Plots Championship Ascent in 2026, Targets Gaethje Interim Title and Future Showdowns with Topuria and Tsarukyan.
MMANovember 29, 2025Jiri Prochazka Delivers Staggering Third-Round Comeback Knockout Against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320- MMANovember 29, 2025Michael Chandler Sees Historic White House Showdown with Conor McGregor as Defining Moment
arthur roy sitompul
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin
alina maya