Paddy Pimblett interim title fight announcement leaves UFC rival seething in immediate response

Arman Tsarukyan is not impressed with the UFC’s decision to announce Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje.

Tsarukyan was waiting patiently for a shot at UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, after beating Dan Hooker earlier this month.

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The champion was expected to return in January 2026, but he has instead elected to take some personal time out of action.

Given he is ranked No.1 in the division, Tsarukyan would have then hoped he would get a shot at the UFC interim lightweight title in the meantime.

But it was announced that it would instead be No.4 ranked Gaethje and No.4 ranked Pimblett that will duel for the belt.

Tsarukyan has never fought for a title during his stint in the UFC, having pulled out of the opportunity to face Islam Makhachev earlier this year.

And he has been left fuming by missing out on his latest chance to capture a crown.

He tweeted: “Make it make sense.”

Pimblett even joked in reply: “You like apples? @armanUFC.”

Tsarukyan has now been left out in the cold and it is unclear who he could take on next.

Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje – why is it such a big fight?

Pimblett and Gaethje will now instead look to try and cement their name as the leader in the pecking order.

It is unclear if they will earn an immediate shot at Topuria, with ‘El Matador’ exploring a potential catchweight clash with Islam Makhachev.

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But regardless, victory will put themselves in pole position to fight for the title, or earn the full belt if Topuria elects to vacate his title.

The bout will also be the maiden headliner of the UFC’s new Paramount+ era, and a huge opportunity for Pimblett to state his name as arguably the UFC’s biggest rising superstar.

And UFC legend Daniel Cormier believes victory for the Liverpudlian justifies his shot at the full title later in 2026.

He said: “A win over Justin after what he’s done already, now I would have bought Paddy Pimblett fighting for the belt right now.

“Because I still believe that Paddy needs to continue to grow in the octagon a little bit.

“He’s riding the ship, and now he’s fought so well that we go, ‘Man, the way he beat Chandler, we’ve never seen that before.’ But Ilia’s a different beast. He’s a savage.”