Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett has never been one to shy away from controversy, and as UFC 324 approaches, the outspoken British lightweight has once again found himself at the centre of a heated storm. With an interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje looming this weekend, Pimblett has taken aim not only at his opponent, but also at rival contender Arman Tsarukyan, delivering a barrage of verbal shots that have added extra spice to one of the most anticipated cards of the year.
The UFC 324 event carries enormous significance beyond the Octagon. It marks the promotion’s first card under its massive seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcast deal, a milestone moment that has heightened scrutiny around matchmaking decisions. The choice to headline the card with Pimblett versus Gaethje for interim gold has raised eyebrows, particularly among those who believe Tsarukyan was overlooked despite his standing in the division. That perceived snub has clearly struck a nerve with the Armenian lightweight, who recently suggested he hopes Pimblett gets knocked out.
Pimblett, however, has paid little attention to the criticism — at least publicly. Instead, he has leaned into his trademark bravado, using the moment to further stoke rivalries and underline his belief that he belongs at the very top of the sport.
“Arman talks s**t,” Pimblett told Fox Sports Australia.
“Take no notice of what Arman says. He’s just a cry-baby who has had everything handed to him on a silver platter his whole life because of daddy’s money and he expects the same with the UFC.
“It doesn’t work like that. I’d love to punch his face in for him.”
The comments are vintage Pimblett: blunt, provocative, and designed to command attention. Yet beneath the trash talk lies a deeper frustration with the constant debate surrounding rankings, opportunities, and perceived entitlement within the UFC lightweight division. Pimblett has long argued that star power, entertainment value, and winning fights on the biggest stages matter just as much as numerical rankings — and the UFC’s decision to place him in an interim title fight appears to support that philosophy.
While Tsarukyan watches from the sidelines, Pimblett’s immediate focus is firmly on Justin Gaethje, one of the most respected and feared fighters in the sport. Known for his relentless aggression and highlight-reel knockouts, Gaethje represents the toughest test of Pimblett’s career. But rather than expressing caution, the Liverpool native has embraced the challenge.
“He’s your favourite fighter’s favourite fighter,” Pimblett said.
“I love watching Justin Gaethje fight. He’s one of the most entertaining fighters on the planet.
“But when you watch him as a fan it’s different.
“I’ve obviously had to study him a bit lately and it’s crazy how much he gets hit. And it’s crazy how much he puts himself in danger.
“I’m going to exploit that.”
Gaethje’s reputation as “The Highlight” has been built on chaos — wild exchanges, bone-crunching leg kicks, and an almost reckless willingness to trade in the pocket. For Pimblett, that aggression represents opportunity rather than danger. Although he is widely recognised for his grappling and submission skills, Pimblett insists he will not shy away from striking exchanges when the cage door closes.
“I will stand with him,” he insisted.
“Just like I stood with Michael Chandler, just like I stood with Bobby Green. Everybody said that I wouldn’t and I stood with both of them.
“I also forced Michael Chandler and Bobby Green to try and take me down.
“I’ll be honest, I think Justin Gaethje is going to take me down - well, try and take me down.”
Such confidence may sound audacious, but Pimblett believes his versatility is often underestimated. While critics point to Gaethje’s devastating power as a major threat, Pimblett argues that his own ability to mix striking with grappling gives him multiple paths to victory. In fact, he is so convinced of his edge that he doesn’t expect the fight to reach the later stages.
“I will finish him within three,” he declared.
Beyond UFC 324, Pimblett’s ambitions stretch even further. The interim title is not his ultimate goal; it is merely a stepping stone toward undisputed championship status. With Ilia Topuria recently confirming his intention to return to the Octagon in 2026 after dealing with personal matters, Pimblett has already set his sights on a potential unification bout.
“When I win the belt I want Topuria,” Pimblett said.
“I want to unify it. I want to beat the champion to become the undisputed champion.
“We will see what happens. But if not him, Arman – shut that little posh fart up.
“Or, the winner of Max [Holloway] and Charles [Oliveira].
“Two legends going at it there – I’d love to fight another legend.”
Those comments underline Pimblett’s desire to test himself against the very best, whether that means silencing critics like Tsarukyan or sharing the cage with established icons of the sport. His willingness to call out multiple high-profile names reflects both confidence and an understanding of how narratives drive the UFC.
Pimblett’s combative nature hasn’t been limited to Tsarukyan. He has also been embroiled in a public war of words with Kiwi lightweight veteran Dan Hooker, whom he previously labelled “an absolute crab.” While no fight has been scheduled between the two, Pimblett has admitted it is a matchup he would happily entertain in the future, adding yet another layer to an already stacked division.
Outside the spotlight of fight week theatrics, Pimblett has quietly made significant changes to his preparation. Once notorious for dramatic weight fluctuations — including periods where he reportedly ballooned to around 90kg, roughly 20kg above the lightweight limit — the Brit has taken a more disciplined approach. With the help of a new nutritionist and a structured training camp, he says his body feels better than ever.
“My weight is in a perfect place at the minute,” he said.
“Everything has gone so smoothly.
“I feel the sharpest I’ve ever felt –- I don’t have any niggles at all.
“It sounds very cliche, but this is the best camp I’ve ever had.”
As UFC 324 draws closer, the clash between Pimblett and Gaethje promises fireworks, not just because of what is at stake, but because of the personalities involved. For Pimblett, this is more than an interim title fight — it is a chance to validate his rise, silence doubters, and prove that his mouth is matched by his ability inside the Octagon. Whether his confidence proves prophetic or costly will be revealed under the bright lights, but one thing is certain: Paddy “The Baddy” has ensured all eyes are firmly on him.