Outside Source
Gaethje (26-5) will fight Pimblett (23-3) for the interim lightweight title in the main event at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. The winner of the fight could be on a collision course with Tsarukyan, who is the top contender in the division. Tsarukyan wants Gaethje to beat Pimblett, as he believes “The Highlight” won’t hesitate to accept a matchup against him in the future. However, Tsarukyan is wary of being ducked by Pimblett if he beats Gaethje at UFC 324.
Won’t Back Down
“I want Justin to beat Paddy,” Tsarukyan told Helen Yee. “Because Justin, he’s going to fight me. But Paddy, if he wins, he is going to try to avoid me and try not to fight me. Because he is not a man like Justin.”
While Tsarukyan (23-3) was scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the title last year, he pulled out due to an injury. Tsarukyan was then denied a title shot when Makhachev vacated the division and moved up. Tsarukyan tried to compensate by weighing in as the backup when Ilia Topuria defeated Charles Oliveira to win the vacant strap. While Tsarukyan kept calling out Topuria, “El Matador” expressed interest in defending his title against Pimblett. Tsarukyan hoped to seal a title shot with his submission win over Dan Hooker this past November. However, Tsarukyan was snubbed yet again when Topuria announced a short hiatus from the sport.
Arman says he’s hoping for a Justin win since Paddy would avoid him otherwise 😅
“I want Justin to beat Paddy. If Justin wins, he’s going to fight me, but Paddy is going to avoid me. Paddy is not a man like Justin.”
(Via @HelenYeeSports) pic.twitter.com/NmkxHawuXY
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) January 11, 2026
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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