UFC 324 Lightweight Title Scrap Defended By Justin Gaethje, Despite Absolute Criticism

This Thursday at noon, Ilia Topuria tweeted out that he’d be taking time out due to family matters. However, UFC CEO Dana White filled in the blank with the UFC 324 PPV card. Ex-interim titleholder Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will be the featured main event for the interim lightweight title.

The UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett PPV card at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise has other things in the lineup to be interested in. It’ll also be UFC’s first matchup under the new helm of Paramount+, so that’s that. But ‘Highlight’ vs. #5-ranked Paddy Pimblett has gotten a wild bunch of reactions. Pimblett, specifically, does not have a win over anyone in the top-10 in lightweight athlete listings.

For another, former top contender and again #1 lightweight, Arman Tsarukyan, recently had quite the win over #6 Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night 265 – aka UFC Qatar. The Armenian has been calling his shots for a while now, and it was widely expected he’d be next.

However, Justin Gaethje has been calling his shots as well. He recently took to his Instagram to pitch in on the opportunity:

What a ride it is. …So thankful for the opportunity to start off this new partnership with the @ufc and @paramountplus. Perfect dance partner for another unforgettable night to prove [that] once again I am one of the best and most exciting fighters of the era. 🔥I will be ready to go #ufc324

Justin Gaethje said

Most fans believe that Paddy Pimblett’s wins over Michael Chandler and King Green aren’t enough to earn him a straight shot. Paddy Pimblett has long run into claims of having bossman privileges, and this does not help. However, the surging Brit contender thinks he warrants it and soon took to socials to diss rival Tsarukyan on it.

The first card of 2026 is going to be WILD 🍿

[ #UFC 324 | 📺 LIVE January 24 on @ParamountPlus] pic.twitter.com/9sLdkW63Xk

— UFC (@ufc) November 28, 2025

Meanwhile, ‘The Highlight’ and his team rep, Ali Abdelaziz, said the fighter would retire if not given a shot after chiming in and saving face many times. 26-5-0 MMA, Gaethje is 3-2 in his last few, with his latest win being a thriller at UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev. Hence, he bills this as the perfect opportunity with the perfect dance partner for a path to gold.

Conor McGregor roots for Paddy Pimblett to win

After the announcement, Conor McGregor, the promotion’s bona fide star, took to social media to share his pitch on the matter with fans. McGregor is expecting to return to action soon to complete his year-long saga with Chandler.

Justin Gaethje threatened to retire if not part of the next title fight. Meanwhile, Pimblett sought to capitalise on his UFC 155-pound rivalry with Ilia Topuria. After Topuria winning the belt at UFC 317, he even had quite a charged-up face-off with him.

This lengthy title discourse has left fans wanting more, better fights, with Tsarukyan waiting in the wings. Paddy Pimblett hasn’t garnered any favours from fans on this—the only person to have given his support to the Scouser: McGregor.

Come on Paddy! @paramountplus https://t.co/TTWsNZvNun

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 28, 2025

The Irishman went on to say that he is cheering for ‘The Baddy’ in the match, possibly because of his resemblance to the previous two-time title holder. He and Gaethje have also had friction about possibly not wanting to fight each other.

Pimblett, a proper brand face, often gets compared to a young McGregor, as does Sean O’Malley. It remains to be seen if the Liverpudlian can have a similar trajectory after UFC 324.

ALSO READ: Daniel Cormier Bills Conor McGregor 2026 White House Dream Is More About Losing His ‘Shine’ Than UFC return