Gaethje became a two-time interim champion with a win over Pimblett at UFC 324
Justin Gaethje won the UFC interim lightweight title for the second time when he beat Paddy Pimblett in the main event of UFC 324 this past weekend in Las Vegas, but he still has mixed feelings when it comes to that belt.
Gaethje first won the interim strap in 2020 after knocking out Tony Ferguson in Jacksonville, Fla., but immediately threw the belt on the ground after the win because it only truly meant a ticket to face Khabib Nurmagomedov for the 155-pound title.
Back to the position as interim titleholder with a win over Pimblett, and champion Ilia Topuria sidelined as he deals with his divorce, Gaethje said on ONX Sports that it’s “tough” to explain how he feels about the belt.
“It’s quite the conundrum because I’m not satisfied because it is in my mind still second place,” Gaethje said. “However, I do know that it was a great achievement, especially for you guys. In history, I’m going to be a two-time interim champ, which on paper makes me a champion, which there’s so many good things.”
Although Gaethje says there are good things to come with holding a UFC belt, even an interim one, he can’t wrap his head around the fact that there’s still one man sitting at the top of the division — and many will not consider him a real champion unless he beats that fighter.
“I could be a optimist about this,” Gaethje said. “I’m always an optimist, but in this one specific area I have to be a pessimist for now and not be content because obviously, same as last time, I’m going to be fighting for the belt now, which I’m very happy that that is what comes from this interim championship. It moves me up the rankings. It goes number one champion and then, boom, me right underneath, intercontinental champ. I mean, that is huge. I know that I have the biggest fight of my life and another fight in the future, so that’s exciting. I love that I earned that. And, outside that, it’s hard to take it for what it is.”
Topuria has indicated prior of UFC 324 that he would return to action around April and June to unify the belts against the winner of Gaethje vs. Paddy, but there’s still official word from the UFC if that’s the plan.
Category: General Sports
