Pimblett-Gaethje Booked for UFC Interim Lightweight Title

Arman Tsarukyan, the top-ranked UFC lightweight contender, has been passed over for an interim title shot at UFC 324 despite a dominant submission victory over Dan Hooker last month in Qatar. The promotion instead booked Paddy Pimblett against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship on January 24 in Las Vegas, leaving Tsarukyan to continue proving himself outside the octagon's main events.

Tsarukyan's exclusion stems from a series of setbacks that began earlier this year. In January, he withdrew from a scheduled lightweight title bout against champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 due to a severe back injury, forcing the UFC to scramble and adjust the card. UFC President Dana White expressed frustration over the last-minute change, stating that Tsarukyan needed to rebuild trust and earn his way back into contention. White later confirmed the fighter understood the situation and would require additional victories to reenter title discussions.

On November 22, Tsarukyan delivered a first-round submission of Hooker at UFC Fight Night in Qatar, marking his fifth consecutive win and bolstering his record to 23-3 overall, with 10-2 in the UFC. The 29-year-old Armenian...