Gaethje vs. Pimblett to Headline UFC 324 for Interim Lightweight Title
The world of mixed martial arts is preparing for a stellar event. Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will face each other for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324, which will take place on January 24th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Dana White, UFC CEO, was in charge of making the announcement. This event will mark the beginning of UFC’s new broadcast agreement with Paramount+, with the main card starting at 9 p.m. ET. Ilia Topuria, current undisputed lightweight champion, will not be present at this event. The 28-year-old fighter announced that he needs time off for personal reasons.Gaethje, with a record of 26-5, is coming off a decision victory against Rafael Fiziev in March. The 37-year-old fighter had considered retirement, but the opportunity to fight for the title kept him active. Gaethje earned a lightweight title shot by knocking out Dustin Poirier in 2023, but then accepted a fight against Max Holloway, losing by knockout in the fifth round. Pimblett, with a record of 23-3, has been one of the fastest-rising stars since signing with the UFC in 2021. The 30-year-old Liverpool fighter has a 7-0 record inside the octagon, with notable victories over Ferguson and Michael Chandler. According to White, the interim title winner will face Topuria in a unification fight later this year. In the co-main event of UFC 324, women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison (19-1) will defend her title against former two-division champion Amanda Nunes (23-5), who is returning from retirement. White also announced the participation of several former UFC champions at UFC 324. Sean O’Malley (18-3) will face Song Yadong (22-8-1). Alexa Grasso (16-5-1) and Rose Namajunas (15-7) will face each other in flyweight. Derrick Lewis (29-12) will face the promising Waldo Cortes-Acosta (16-2), and featherweights Arnold Allen (20-3) and Jean Silva (16-3) will seek to move up in the 145-pound division.I will not fight in the first quarter of next year. I am going through a difficult time in my personal life. I want to focus on my children and resolve this situation as soon as possible. I don’t want to delay the division. The UFC will make the necessary matchups, and as soon as the issues are resolved, I will let the UFC know that I am ready to begin my return.
Ilia Topuria
