"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."
"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."
""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.""
Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will meet for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in Las Vegas on Jan. 24. The winner could face Arman Tsarukyan, the division's top contender. Tsarukyan said he wants Gaethje to win because Gaethje would be willing to fight him, while Pimblett would likely avoid the matchup. Tsarukyan previously withdrew from a title challenge against Islam Makhachev due to injury and lost a title opportunity when Makhachev moved up and vacated the belt. Tsarukyan served as backup for Ilia Topuria's title win and continued calling out Topuria. Topuria showed interest in fighting Pimblett, then later announced a short hiatus.
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