Daniel Cormier believes the UFC’s decision to book Justin Gaethje against Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 was far more calculated than many initially realized.
In a video published this week on his YouTube channel, Cormier broke down what he sees as the promotional logic behind the matchup and why it made business sense to elevate Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) and Pimblett (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) over the division’s No. 1-ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the race to take on lightweight titleholder Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) at the White House this summer.
“Where does it sit on the (White House) card? I don't know,” Cormier said. “But it feels like that's a massive fight that is worthy of being on such a massive card. And with Topuria being who he is, with Gaethje being who he is, an American guy holding a UFC title.”
UFC 324 marked the first event of the promotion’s new broadcast partnership in the Paramount Plus era, adding further stakes to the interim title bout. Cormier suggested that regardless of who won, the UFC was positioned to capitalize from a marketing standpoint, particularly with Topuria waiting in the wings.
“Look, the UFC booked Paddy Pimblett versus Justin Gaethje,” Cormier explained. “(If) Paddy Pimblett (had) won, you (would have) had a star that was going to go fight Ilia for the belt. Justin Gaethje won. Now you have an American guy holding a portion of a title with a fight at the White House that is going to happen in June around 4th of July weekend. It was a no-lose situation.”
Cormier acknowledged that many fans questioned why Tsarukyan was passed over for the opportunity. However, in hindsight, he believes the bigger picture clarifies the UFC’s thinking.
“Honestly, I don't know how we missed it,” Cormier said. “Everybody's like, well, why isn’t it this dude? Why isn’t it Arman? Why isn’t it Arman? Now it kind of makes sense, because now that Gaethje has the belt, you got an American guy holding a title going into the White House (event). It worked. It worked one way or the other, so. Now it makes more sense to me.”
