Paddy Pimblett plans big 2026, targets Ilia Topuria and ‘posh boy’ Arman Tsarukyan

Paddy Pimblett is planning on having a 2026 for the ages.

On Thanksgiving, the UFC announced that Pimblett will take on Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324. This is Pimblett’s first UFC title shot, and “The Baddy” is reveling in continuing to prove his doubters wrong.

“Me and Gaethje now for the world title,” Gaethje said in a video posted by the UFC. “It’s interim, people are going to say, ‘Ah, it’s only interim,’ this and that, but I’m fighting for the world title. People said I’d never be ranked. People said I’d never do this, never do that. The goalposts always get moved with me. It’s normal.

“Once I finish Gaethje, it’s going to be, ‘Oh, he was 37, he was retiring anyway, he’s on his way out, he’s being handed the title shot.’ All this bullshit, but when I first signed with the UF,C it was, ‘He’s going to get knocked out by [Luigi] Vendramini, oh he’s only beaten journeymen, Jared Gordon beat him, Jordan Leavitt’s going to submit him.’ Then it was, ‘Bobby Green’s going to knock him out,’ and ‘Michael Chandler’s going to knock him out.’ Now, it’s ‘Justin Gaethje’s going to knock him out.’ But once I beat him, it will be, ‘Oh, he was old,’ he’s this, he’s that. I’m used to it.

“People think I’m still the same fighter who came in and fought Vendramini back in September 2021, when I’m a whole different animal.”

Pimblett has faced plenty of pushback in his UFC run. A former Cage Warriors champion, Pimblett is one of the most popular fighters in the sport, but his early UFC performances left something to be desired. Though he’s undefeated in the promotion, his win over Jared Gordon in 2022 was controversial, and he’s since picked up wins over Tony Ferguson, King Green, and Michael Chandler, all of which received criticism. But should Pimblett pull off what he intends to do in 2026, no one will be able to criticize him anymore.

“First ever time I’ve fought in January,” Pimblett said. “Earliest I’ve ever fought. It’s going to ruin me Christmas dinner and me birthday, because I’m going to be 31 three weeks before it, but it’s all going to be worth it when I lift that world title above me head, and Paddy the Baddy is a world champion.

“2026 is going to be the biggest year of me life. I am coming for that interim title, then I’ll be making it the undisputed title when I come and beat Ilia Topuria up and take the undisputed title. And little posh boy [Arman Tsarukyan] — if he manages to fight in that time, because he likes sitting out and saying he’s got a sore back — if little posh boy fights in that time and keeps his ranking, I’ll punch his head in as well.”

UFC 324 takes place on Jan. 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.