Jon Anik doesn’t want the UFC fanbase to overlook the upcoming interim lightweight title fight between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje at UFC 324.
Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and Gaethje (24-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) are set to go head-to-head in the main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on January 24, marking the promotion’s first fight card of the new year. Current undisputed 155-pound champion Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) was originally rumored to headline the landmark event, which is set to usher in the new Paramount Plus broadcasting era for the promotion. However, “El Matador” recently announced that he will be taking a leave of absence from the Octagon to attend to personal matters.
While many fans expected Arman Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) to factor into any interim title discussion, UFC matchmakers instead booked Pimblett and Gaethje to kick off their 2026 schedule, and UFC play-by-play commentator Anik doesn’t want the bout to be overshadowed by debates surrounding Pimblett’s or Gaethje’s legitimacy as title contenders.
“It’s a great fight and I don't want to hear the noise that is that ‘Paddy Pimblett isn't deserving of a title fight.’ He is, right?” Anik told Fighters Only this week. “He has one of the longest winning streaks in the division. He hasn't lost in the UFC. He's methodically built himself into a better athlete and human being and he's favored to beat Justin Gaethje on January 24th.
“And if you know Justin Gaethje, (you know) how good an athlete he is. He's going to bring it on January 24th. And he could bring it deep into his 40s if he wanted to. But Justin has realized financial freedom and I think we got two or three (fights) left in Justin - max. It depends upon whether or not he can win this interim lightweight championship. But, yeah, I do expect a lot of action.
“I'm fascinated to see if Paddy Pimblett tries to lean on his grappling. It really is a feather in his cap, even though people don't want to acknowledge how willing a grappler he is at times. But it's a great fight. It really is.”
Arman Tsarukyan was scheduled to face then-champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 a year ago before withdrawing from the bout at the eleventh hour due to a back injury. After finally returning to the Octagon at UFC Qatar in November, where he submitted Dan Hooker, the Armenian contender has found himself on the outside of the lightweight title picture.
Anik has been vocal in recent months about his belief that Tsarukyan is the best fighter among the available contenders at 155 pounds, but he does not think that reality should detract from the significance of the UFC 324 main event.
“I do believe skill for skill, that Arman Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria look neck and neck in terms of being the best two fighters in this division,” Anik stated. “But we can't denigrate an interim lightweight championship or an interim championship in any division. I try to explain to these athletes: the undisputed champ isn't ready to go. This is the lightweight title fight, and I hope the athletes can find a spot in their brain to acknowledge it as such.”
The latest episode of FIGHT WEEK FOCUS drops this Tuesday over on the Fighters Only YouTube channel.
