Paddy Pimblett will not consider Ilia Topuria a champion as long as he is inactive.
Pimblett (23-3) and Justin Gaethje were frontrunners for a lightweight title shot against Topuria. However, Topuria recently announced that he is taking a short hiatus due to personal reasons. Pimblett and Gaethje (26-5) are now scheduled to fight for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. “The Baddy” isn’t taking it as an interim title fight with Topuria being sidelined. As long as Topuria is inactive, Pimblett will consider himself the champion if he beats Gaethje.