Justin Gaethje Locked In on Pimblett as Lightweight Picture Shifts

Justin Gaethje is focused solely on the challenge in front of him on January 24.

Gaethje (26–5 MMA, 9–5 UFC) is scheduled to face Paddy Pimblett (22–3 MMA, 7–0 UFC) for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 324 early next year. There had been speculation that either Gaethje or Pimblett could be next in line to challenge reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (17–0 MMA, 9–0 UFC) at the start of the 2026 calendar, but that discussion cooled after “El Matador” announced plans to step away from the Octagon to address personal matters.

Although both Gaethje and Pimblett stand to benefit from Topuria’s temporary absence, the champion’s short-term future remains uncertain. After vacating his featherweight title to move up and ultimately capture the lightweight belt, Topuria has publicly expressed interest in climbing another division to challenge newly crowned welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (28–1 MMA, 17–1 UFC).

While Topuria entertains the possibility of making history by winning championships in three weight classes, Gaethje remains locked in on the opponent who will be standing across from him inside the Octagon at T-Mobile Arena next month.

"I guess I don't really have an opinion (on Topuria possibly moving up to welterweight)," Gaethje told Submission Radio this week. "I mean, if he went up, I would just be the champion, which I'm not going to complain about. But I think what that leaves open is the chance for me to get a rematch against Max Holloway or Charles Oliveira, get my belt and get the BMF belt.”

Gaethje was submitted by Oliveira when they met for the lightweight title in 2022. A year later, he captured the BMF title with a knockout of Dustin Poirier, only to relinquish that belt after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300.

Since rebounding with a decisive victory over Rafael Fiziev last March, Gaethje has moved forward with renewed momentum, determined to avenge past defeats and add more championship hardware to his résumé.

"Ultimately, that was the script I've been speaking into existence since the (Rafael) Fiziev fight. I thought I was going to fight Ilia in January, and then I was going to fight Max or whoever had the BMF belt on the White House card and then have both of those belts."