The champion\u2019s hiatus encouraged the UFC to set up an interim lightweight title bout between Pimblett and Justin Gaethje, which will serve as the main event of a UFC 324 card<\/a> that formally kicks off the promotion\u2019s new deal with Paramount<\/a> on January 24. <\/p>\n Luke Rockhold Sounds Off On Paddy Pimblett Title Shot<\/p>\n Both the choice to set up an interim title fight and Pimblett\u2019s involvement with the matchup were met with a bit of surprise from much of the MMA community, and Rockhold claims the UFC is desperate to capitalize on the popularity of \u201cThe Baddy\u201d. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC newcomer to debut in Houston after stunning Dana White with contract-winning KO<\/a><\/p>\n “I think they’re trying to do anything they can to put little Paddy into a title situation,” Rockhold said on Submission Radio<\/a> (h\/t MMA Junkie<\/a>). \u201cI’m annoyed with fighters that think that the interim title means anything. You see guys like Justin Gaethje, and he knows it\u2026He wants to be a real champion, but then you’ve got Paddy, who’s already talking about, ‘I’m going to be champion.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Luke Rockhold (Red Gloves) fights David Branch (Blue Gloves) during UFC Fight Night at PPG PAINTS Arena. | Don Wright-Imagn Images<\/p>\n A former interim lightweight champion himself, Gaethje came up short against Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unification bout at UFC 254 but now has the chance to set himself up for another undisputed title opportunity after defeating Rafael Fiziev in a short-notice rematch at UFC 313.<\/p>\n Rockhold Would Prefer To See Arman Tsarukyan In UFC Title Fight<\/p>\n Both Gaethje and Pimblett are ranked in the Top 5 of a stacked UFC lightweight division, but Rockhold also went on to question why #1-ranked Arman Tsarukyan isn\u2019t involved with the UFC 324 main event. <\/p>\n Arman Tsarukyan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n \u201cArman’s a beast. Look what he’s doing in grappling right now and how he’s just destroying these guys. It’s not easy and how he translates it to fighting, he’s a problem for everybody.”<\/p>\n READ MORE: Is this top UFC contender training to fight UFC Champion Khamzat Chimaev in 2026?<\/a><\/p>\n Tsrukyan was poised for a title shot against then-UFC lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 but unfortunately withdrew with a back injury <\/a>on weigh-in day. The 29-year-old submitted Dan Hooker in his return at UFC Qatar<\/a> earlier this year, and his only setbacks in the UFC were his promotional debut against Makhachev and contentious decision-loss to Mateusz Gamrot in 2022. <\/p>\n Michael Chandler (red gloves) fights against Paddy Pimblett (blue gloves) during UFC 314 at Kaseya Center. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Liverpool\u2019s Pimblett is 7-0 since joining the UFC in 2021, and \u201cThe Baddy\u201d will have the chance to silence some of the fans that have questioned the overall quality of his Octagon wins when he and Gaethje square off for the interim lightweight belt at UFC 324. <\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Ex-UFC champ aims to snap losing streak on Holloway vs. Oliveira undercard at UFC 326<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC legend Anderson Silva shares puzzling response regarding Dana White relationship<\/a> <\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC shockingly parts ways with fighter boasting undefeated UFC record<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0MMA fans put on notice after fighter scores insane walk-off KO in first pro fight<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Luke](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kd8epj1trt9asfvn0n.jpg\" "\\"Luke")
<\/p>\n![\"Arman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kd8errw3yszf5rpe8f.jpg\" "\\"Arman")
<\/p>\n![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kd8eqt6v6gms10c8xf.jpg\" "\\"Michael")
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