The UFC’s first-ever Paramount card in 2026 is already shaping into a historic night as boss Dana White has hinted that lightweight champion Ilia Topuria could headline the January debut. With that, a new era of broadcast partners can be opened with a star who has knocked out Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira in three consecutive title fights. But while matchmaking quietly unfolds, one question keeps buzzing louder than the rest: who gets the first crack at ‘El Matador’s belt?

Justin Gaethje believes the answer is obvious. Arman Tsarukyan thinks he’s next too. But according to Paddy Pimblett, neither man has the right to simply plant their flag in title-shot territory. And when ‘The Baddy’ recently spoke with JNMEDIAUK’s Jamal Niaz ahead of UFC Qatar, he didn’t sugarcoat his stance!

Paddy Pimblett goes off on Justin Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan’s title aspirations

Pimblett believes the biggest fight the UFC can make is already written into MMA history, him versus Ilia Topuria. He acknowledged their rivalry as the sport’s next defining chapter and then went straight at Gaethje’s public frustration as he stated, “Everyone knows that. Everyone said that. You know, don’t ever want to say a bad word about Justin Gaethje, he’s a legend. But he’s doing interviews lately being a proper b—, you know what I mean? Saying like the UFC owe him and he deserves it and all that. No one’s holding on, you know what I mean?”

The Liverpudlian insisted his last win came over a “higher-ranked opponent” (Michael Chandler) and in “better fashion” than Gaethje’s own recent performance (Rafael Fiziev). The praise remained, but the message was blunt as he continued, “So I don’t know, he’s a legend, and obviously he’s done a lot for the company and all that, but he can’t just demand a title shot.”

Then came Tsarukyan’s turn as ‘The Baddy’ stated, “Then you’ve got Arman who hasn’t fought in, it’ll be what 18 months or something like that. So you know, me and Topuria has got the story line built in, it’s all there.”

What makes this even more intriguing? All the key players, Paddy Pimblett, Ilia Topuria, and Arman Tsarukyan, will be in Qatar for UFC Fight Night 265. Pimblett is cornering his teammates, Shem Rock and Luke Riley. Topuria’s brother, Aleksandre, is fighting on the same card, and Tsarukyan is headlining against Dan Hooker.

In other words, chaos is practically guaranteed. Pimblett couldn’t help but grin when asked if he expected trouble as he further shared in the recent interview, “It’s gonna be funny as sh—. I can’t wait. It’s going to be hilarious. We’ll get some nice bits of content from that. 1 million percent, I can’t wait for it.”

Yet, behind the scenes, the stakes are even higher. Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz has already warned the UFC that if ‘The Baddy’ jumps the line, Gaethje may retire on the spot. Tsarukyan must first defeat Hooker, but if he wins, his case becomes harder to ignore. And another wrinkle in the story? Islam Makhachev’s recent welterweight title win at UFC 322!

‘The Baddy’ confirms he’ll step into the Octagon “early next year”

UFC 322 added a brand-new twist, one that Paddy Pimblett believes has scrambled the lightweight title picture even more. Islam Makhachev’s stunning welterweight title win didn’t just shake up the 170-pound landscape. It sent shockwaves straight down into 155, where Pimblett has been waiting for clarity.

And now? The waters have never been murkier. Because how do you plan your next move when the lightweight champion suddenly wants to follow history instead of challengers? Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pimblett stated, “Ilia’s been saying he wants to go up and fight him, but you’ve got other contenders there now.”

In his view, 170 might suddenly be more exciting than lightweight, something he claims hasn’t happened in over a decade. And if Islam Makhachev chooses any of those killers next, lightweight matchmaking gets frozen in place. Which brings us back to the million-dollar question: What does Ilia Topuria actually want to do?

Pimblett admitted, “Let’s see what’s happening now with Islam because, is Ilia going to stick to his word and say he’s going to move up? Or is he going to stick to his other word and say he’s going to fight me next? We don’t know what’s happening…. But I’ll be fighting next year no matter who it is. I’ll have an opponent. I’ll definitely be fighting early next year.”

It all comes down to timing, ambition, and which domino falls first. One thing, though, is crystal clear: Paddy Pimblett isn’t waiting around for anyone else to make up their mind. Whether it’s Topuria, Gaethje, or someone entirely different, he’s stepping into the Octagon early next year!