Paddy Pimblett warns Ilia Topuria could vacate his UFC lightweight title | MMA UK

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria could be forced to do so lose his title if his break from the sport lasts too long, according to interim title challenger Paddy Pimblett. With Topuria on a personal break until at least April 2026the UFC has one interim lightweight title fight between Pimblett and Justin slave for UFC324 in January.

This move has sparked significant controversy and drawn sharp criticism from fighters outside the promotion. The central dispute centers on the perceived merit of the interim title fight, with many arguing the shot should belong to the division’s clear top contender. Arman Tsarukyan.

The absence of the champion and the solution

Reigning champion Ilia “El Matador” Topuria has stated that he plans to take an extended break from competition to focus on personal and family matters. While no official UFC policy dictates that a champion must be absent for a year, prolonged inactivity often forces the promotion’s hand to keep divisions active.

Pimblett amplified these concerns in a recent interview, suggesting the title could be in jeopardy. “If he’s not back by mid-2026 I think he’ll have to leave,” Pimblett said. This uncertainty prompted the UFC to create an interim title so that a champion is ready to unify the titles upon Topuria’s return in the second quarter of 2026 or later.

The Controversial Interim Match: Why Gaethje vs. Pimblett?

The booking of Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim title has been the source of intense debate. Critics point out Arman Tsarukyan– who is coming off a win over current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev and is ranked No. 1 overall – as the most deserving candidate.

The UFC’s rationale stems from a pivotal moment in early 2025. Tsarukyan was scheduled for a title fight against then-champion Makhachev, but withdrew at short notice due to a back injury. UFC CEO Dana White addressed the situation bluntly, stating that Tsarukyan would have to “work his way back” into the fight after turning down the opportunity.

This decision has been labeled as prioritizing business over pure sport. PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov vocally criticized the matchmaking, stating: “UFC is the place where the best fighters in the world fight each other. Best fighters. Not who [is] more popular.”

The road to unification and a division in waiting

The winner of Gaethje vs. Pimblett at UFC 324 will be crowned interim champion and expected to face Topuria in a title unification bout in the second half of 2026. This creates a clear, if controversial, path forward for the division.

Meanwhile, Arman Tsarukyan remains in a holding pattern. Instead of immediately taking another UFC fight, he has opted to stay active wrestling matcheswith a high-profile “submission only” jiu-jitsu match scheduled for December 30. His path back to a UFC title shot now requires a significant win against a top-five opponent, a scenario that leaves the division’s most proven contender on the sidelines during its most high-profile moments.

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