- Paddy Pimblett has been placed into the UFC interim lightweight title picture despite limited top-level wins.
- Former champion Luke Rockhold says the interim belt holds little value and calls Pimblett’s push engineered.
- Pimblett earned a top-five ranking after beating Michael Chandler and benefited as other contenders lost.
- Rockhold argues Arman Tsarukyan is a more deserving challenger for the belt ahead of UFC 324.
H2: Why Paddy Pimblett is suddenly in the title conversation
Paddy Pimblett shot back into the lightweight title picture after a dominant win over Michael Chandler in April. That victory moved the British star into the top 10 and, as several contenders ahead of him lost later in the year, he climbed into the top five without fighting again.
When Ilia Topuria’s potential bout with Pimblett fell through due to personal issues for Topuria, the door opened for Pimblett to remain in the interim title mix. That led to a scheduled interim title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 — a matchup that has prompted questions from parts of the MMA community.
H3: Luke Rockhold’s critique of the interim belt and Pimblett’s trajectory
Former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold publicly questioned both the value of an interim title and how Pimblett earned his shot. Speaking to Submission Radio, Rockhold said the interim belt “doesn’t mean much” and suggested the UFC is arranging favorable opportunities for Pimblett to fast-track him into a championship role.
“I think they’re trying to do anything they can to put little Paddy into a title situation,” Rockhold told Submission Radio. “I’m annoyed with fighters that think the interim title means anything. You see guys like Justin Gaethje and he knows it. He knows that none of that s— really means much to him because he wants to be the real champion.”
Rockhold added that Arman Tsarukyan — who many see as the division’s most consistent contender — deserves a shot at the belt, praising Tsarukyan’s grappling and in-cage production.
H4: How the UFC got here: rankings, injuries and matchmaking
Pimblett’s rise reflects a mix of in-cage success and favorable timing. A high-profile win over a name like Michael Chandler brought visibility; subsequent losses and inactivity by others reshuffled the lightweight pecking order. The cancellation of the Topuria matchup further cleared a path to an interim title pairing with Gaethje.
While critics question the optics and merit of Pimblett’s placement, the UFC has increasingly used interim belts and fast-tracked fighters who bring audience interest. That reality fuels debate: should rankings and recent form alone determine title shots, or should consistency against ranked opponents matter more?
H5: What’s next
Pimblett will headline the interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324. Whether a win will legitimize his title status in the eyes of skeptics — including Rockhold and other former fighters — remains the central storyline leading into the event.
Image Referance: https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/12/23/paddy-pimbletts-push-to-ufc-title-contention-questioned-by-former-champion/
