TLDR
- Paddy Pimblett denies ducking Arman Tsarukyan and says he would fight him immediately if offered
- Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24
- Champion Ilia Topuria plans to return between April and June 2026 to face the interim title winner
- Pimblett believes Topuria should be stripped if he cannot fight by summer and vows to defend against anyone
- Number one ranked Arman Tsarukyan remains without a title shot despite recent win over Dan Hooker
Sources: Yardbarker | SSB Crack | MMA Junkie
Paddy Pimblett has pushed back against claims he is avoiding a fight with top-ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. The Liverpool fighter says he has never been offered the matchup but would accept it immediately.
Pimblett spoke to media ahead of his interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 on January 24. He called Tsarukyan an “absolute helmet” and said he would “punch his head in” if given the chance.
“It’s annoying that people are saying I’m ducking Arman — I’ve never been offered to fight Arman,” Pimblett said. “If I was ever offered that fight, I would’ve punched his head in by now.”
The 31-year-old enters UFC 324 on a nine-fight winning streak spanning seven years. He holds a 23-0 professional record with 17 career finishes.
Topuria’s Absence Creates Interim Title Picture
The interim title fight exists because champion Ilia Topuria is taking time away from the octagon. Topuria announced he is dealing with personal issues, including a custody battle with his ex-wife.
Topuria recently stated on social media that he plans to return between April and June 2026. He confirmed he will face the winner of Gaethje versus Pimblett upon his comeback.
The UFC has no plans to strip Topuria of his title at this time. However, Pimblett believes the champion should be stripped if he cannot fight by summer.
Paddy Pimblett takes aim at Arman Tsarukyan ahead of #UFC324
📰 https://t.co/3ks6kdO67Q pic.twitter.com/wygBaab21V
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 18, 2026
“If Ilia can’t fight until June or July, he should be stripped because he’s holding the division up,” Pimblett said. “I’ll defend against Arman, Max, Charles — whoever. I don’t care.”
Pimblett last fought in April at UFC 314, where he stopped three-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler with strikes in the third round. Gaethje brings a 9-5 UFC record into the bout and has won three of his past four fights.
Tsarukyan Left on the Sidelines
The decision to create an interim title fight between Gaethje and Pimblett left number one ranked Arman Tsarukyan without a path to the championship. Tsarukyan was scheduled to face then-champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January but withdrew on weigh-in day due to injury.
UFC CEO Dana White told Complex that Tsarukyan needs to work his way back to a title shot. White cited the fighter’s controversial headbutt during a staredown with Dan Hooker and the late withdrawal from the Makhachev fight as reasons.
Tsarukyan has since spoken publicly about not receiving a lightweight title opportunity. The 29-year-old has suggested he might drop to featherweight or pursue the BMF belt instead.
After pulling out of the Makhachev fight, Tsarukyan returned to submit Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar. Despite the win, White appears unwilling to grant him an immediate title shot.
Topuria won the lightweight championship by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 last year. The title became vacant after Makhachev moved up from lightweight to welterweight.
Before capturing lightweight gold, Topuria held the featherweight championship in 2024. He won that belt by finishing Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 and defended it with a knockout victory over Max Holloway.
UFC 324 marks the promotion’s first event under its new deal with Paramount. The card was scheduled to feature a co-main event between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes, but Harrison withdrew from the bout.
