Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett has secured his first UFC title fight as he takes on Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight belt at UFC 324 on January 24th.
The fight comes after current champion Ilia Topuria announced he wouldn’t compete in the beginning of 2026 due to reasons in his personal life.
Pimblett, 30, is currently ranked fifth best lightweight in the world and could become the first fighter from Liverpool to win a UFC title.
UFC CEO Dana White revealed the fight during the halftime of Thursday’s NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys, and confirmed that the bout will take place on January 24th 2026 in Las Vegas.
Both the American and the Liverpudlian have publicised their intensions to fight Topuria, and the winner of the competition in the new year would likely determine who fights the Georgian to become the undisputed champion.
Pimblett’s record in the UFC is flawless, recording seven straight wins, but is yet to fight anyone inside the current top 10 of the world rankings.
His energetic personality and bright blonde hair made him a fan favourite when he arrived in the UFC in 2021, and many say his recent performances warrant a shot at the title.
Gaethje on the other hand, who is seven years his senior and ranked one place above “The Baddy”, has nine UFC wins to his name as well as five losses. He has held the interim lightweight belt once before, but failed to claim the full title after losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020.
Neither athlete has fought in the Octagon for over half a year, with Pimblett’s triumph over Micheal Chandler being the most recent outing in April.
The event will have huge significance for UFC fans in Merseyside and around the world, as it is the first numbered event to shift from the traditional Pay Per View model.
Paramount are now the exclusive broadcasters of UFC events, as part of a $7.7B rights agreement announced in August, and will stream the event on their platform at no extra cost to subscribers.
