Dana White’s Polarizing Decision to Book Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje Defended by UFC Legend

UFC legend Michael Bisping defends Dana White's decision to book Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 amid criticism.

Dana White’s Polarizing Decision to Book Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje Defended by UFC Legend

Michael Bisping talks about Dana White's decision for Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett (via UFC, MMA Mania)

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UFC CEO Dana White‘s recent announcement for UFC 324 has stirred conversation about who deserves a shot at the interim lightweight belt. At the center of the debate is Arman Tsarukyan, a top-ranked lightweight contender who many believed would be next in line. However, the promotion bypassed him in favor of a matchup between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje.

Tsarukyan entered the announcement on a strong footing. He recently secured a second-round arm-triangle choke submission win over Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, a performance that reinforced his status as #1 in the divisional rankings. His win streak and ranking made him a logical candidate for a title opportunity while the reigning champion is unavailable.

Despite this, the organization elected to book Pimblett vs. Gaethje for the interim title bout. Veteran fighter and analyst Michael Bisping publicly weighed in, stating that Tsarukyan was not snubbed. Bisping argued that the choice to go with Pimblett and Gaethje had merit, likely considering factors beyond ranking alone.

Do you think Arman Tsarukyan should have got it? I don’t. Paddy and Justin have been right there for a little bit, Arman was kind of out on the sidelines. I did think Paddy was kind of the frontrunner. Certainly after he stepped into the octagon when Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira. They had that back-and-forth, Ilia had both belts on, pushes Paddy, it was a bit of an awkward moment. That fight looked destined to happen.

Michael Bisping via YouTube

Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria was initially scheduled to headline the UFC’s first Paramount+ event. However, personal matters forced him to withdraw before the card was finalized. His absence left a gap in the division that needed to be addressed quickly. As one of the UFC’s biggest rising stars, his unavailability pushed the promotion to advance plans for the interim title bout at UFC 324.

Bisping also believed that Gaethjes’s spot at UFC 324 is justified. After a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313, Gaethje renewed his push for a lightweight title shot. He and his camp insisted that victory put him back in serious contention. According to his manager, Gaethje threatened to retire from the sport if the promotion failed to give him a belt opportunity next.

The rivalry between Pimblett and Topuria had escalated over multiple past incidents, adding context to the choice. Their post-UFC 317 confrontation reignited animosity and drew attention to the division. This sequence of events made the interim title fight more than a ranking-based decision. It transformed the matchup into a high-profile, storyline-driven contest because of their history of altercations.

The interim title fight between Gaethje and Pimblett represents a significant pivot point for the UFC’s lightweight division. Its placement at UFC 324 signals Dana White’s intent to maintain activity despite the champion’s absence. Its result will shape how the UFC aligns unification plans and promotional priorities moving forward.

Popular MMA journalist calls out Dana White’s decision to make Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324

The UFC’s decision to pair Justin Gaethje with Paddy Pimblett for the interim belt has drawn scrutiny. Many observers noted that the division’s top contender, Arman Tsarukyan, was bypassed. This created renewed debate about how the promotion determines title opportunities.

Ariel Helwani exposes UFC fighters
Ariel Helwani questions Dan White’s choice for UFC 324 (via X)

However, Ariel Helwani argued that an interim title fight lacking the #1 contender undermines the division’s competitive structure. He questioned why Tsarukyan was excluded despite holding the highest ranking at lightweight. Helwani compared the booking’s legitimacy to that of symbolic belts, expressing concern for how it reflects on the UFC’s priorities.

An interim title fight that does not feature a number one contender because the number one contender at 155 is a guy named Arman Tsarukyan. This is as prestigious as the BMF title. If the winner of this is gonna fight Ilia what happens to Arman?

Ariel Helwani via YouTube

The controversy highlights broader tension between merit-based progression and high-profile matchmaking. Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett bring strong visibility, but their selection raises questions about the relevance of the rankings. Critics worry that decisions like this may shift focus further toward promotional value.

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