The UFC lightweight division has been thrown into chaos once again, and this time it’s Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje who find themselves in the middle of an unexpected title opportunity. After months of speculation, debate, and heated conversations among fans and analysts, the question of who would fight for the 155-pound belt next has finally been answered—though not in the way many predicted.
Ever since Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira to capture lightweight gold at UFC 317, the division has been locked in a battle of opinions. Topuria’s spectacular finish thrust him into the spotlight, but his subsequent hiatus due to personal reasons left the title picture wide open. Naturally, attention turned toward Arman Tsarukyan, who many viewed as the rightful next contender on merit alone. Tsarukyan had already established himself as a key figure in the division, even stepping in as the official backup fighter for the most recent lightweight title bout. And just last week, he reaffirmed his credentials with a dominant submission win against Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar—a statement performance that appeared to solidify his claim.
But the UFC had other plans.
In a move that shocked many within the MMA community, UFC president Dana White announced that Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett would meet on January 24 in Las Vegas for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324. The decision instantly set off waves of reaction, outrage, and sarcasm online, with many wondering how Tsarukyan, arguably the most deserving contender, had been left out in the cold.
The frustration for Tsarukyan is understandable. His momentum has been undeniable, and his performances have consistently placed him among the elite. Yet when the time came to set the interim title bout, he found himself on the outside looking in once again. The Armenian star made weight as a backup for the last title fight, beat top contenders, and appeared to be next in line by merit. But merit is not always the deciding factor in the UFC’s matchmaking strategy—as many fighters have learned over the years.
Meanwhile, Pimblett’s path to the title shot has been met with skepticism. Though he secured a big victory over Michael Chandler earlier this year, critics argue that his résumé does not stack up against the division’s strongest contenders. However, Pimblett’s marketability, personality, and ongoing feud with Topuria have undeniably played a role in thrusting him into the title spotlight. Their heated face-off at UFC 317 only amplified fan interest, and the storyline practically wrote itself. With Topuria unavailable, Pimblett became the most attention-grabbing option, at least from a promotional standpoint.
Not everyone agrees—and Tsarukyan certainly doesn't. He has long been one of the loudest voices dismissing Pimblett’s credentials, openly branding him unworthy of a title shot. His comments during interviews and social media discussions only fueled the rivalry, making Thursday night’s announcement particularly painful from his perspective.
Pimblett wasted no time responding, taking a playful jab at his rival the moment Dana White made the interim title fight official. Posting on X, Pimblett wrote, “You like apples? @ArmanUfc,” along with apple emojis and laughing faces. The message was simple: the fight Tsarukyan wanted is now in Pimblett’s hands.
This announcement does more than sideline Tsarukyan—it pushes his title hopes deep into late 2026. White confirmed that the winner of the Gaethje vs Pimblett showdown will earn the right to face Ilia Topuria once the champion returns. Given Topuria’s timeline and the UFC’s scheduling expectations, Tsarukyan may be waiting more than a year for another opportunity.
That leaves Tsarukyan facing a difficult decision. After his recent victory over Hooker, he stated that the only fight he would accept besides a title bout was a matchup with Conor McGregor. Without a belt on the line, that fight seems unlikely, meaning Tsarukyan must either adjust his stance or risk sitting out for an extended period. A long hiatus could stunt his momentum, yet taking fights beneath his desired standing may not align with his aspirations.
As for Gaethje and Pimblett, UFC 324 is shaping up to be one of the biggest cards of the year. Alongside the interim lightweight main event, the lineup features an array of massive matchups, including Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight title, Sean O’Malley vs Song Yadong, Derrick Lewis vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Arnold Allen vs Jean Silva, Rose Namajunas vs Alexa Grasso, and Umar Nurmagomedov vs Deiveson Figueiredo, among others. It is the sort of star-studded event that only the UFC can build, and an interim belt for a bout that pits Pimblett’s charisma against Gaethje’s violence-first approach will undoubtedly draw massive global attention.
Still, Tsarukyan’s absence remains the biggest talking point. His father even went viral for body-slamming a coach during his victorious celebration—a moment that captured the raw emotion and intensity surrounding his rise. Now, that rise has stalled abruptly. The lightweight division may be one of the most competitive in the sport, but it also produces some of the most unpredictable decisions. And this one, for better or worse, proves once again that popularity and timing can sometimes overshadow performance and ranking.
As UFC 324 approaches, all eyes will be on Pimblett and Gaethje as they seize an opportunity many believed belonged to someone else. And for Tsarukyan, the path forward is unclear. Whether he chooses to fight again soon, wait for a better opportunity, or try to angle for the biggest name possible, one thing is certain—his reaction and next steps will be closely watched by fans, fighters, and the UFC itself.
