LAS VEGAS – Ahead of UFC 324, Paddy Pimblett says he wants to prove himself at lightweight before considering a second division.

Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) takes on Justin Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) for the interim lightweight title in the UFC 324 headliner Jan. 24 (Paramount+). It's no secret that Pimblett gets out of shape in between fights, but he has never missed weight. He still sees plenty of work to do at 155 pounds.

"I want to be champ-champ, but title defenses come first," Pimblett told MMA Junkie Radio on Thursday. "You can't go up and be champ-champ if you don't defend the title and prove that you're the best in that division."

If Pimblett gets past Gaethje, a title-unification bout with UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and a potential challenger in Arman Tsarukyan await. That would give him a hefty strength of schedule, but Pimblett takes that in stride.

"You could say that, but not one fight in the UFC is easy," Pimblett said. "Every single fight is hard in the UFC. When it comes to me, people move the goal posts. I was going to get knocked out by Michael Chandler, I was going to get knocked out by Bobby Green, but when I beat both of them, they're both old and washed, and they're not good enough. So, it's all about perspective, but every single fight in the UFC is a tough fight. It's the best of the best in the world."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 324: Paddy Pimblett says 'title defenses first' before champ-champ

Paddy Pimblett assures priorities will be straight if victorious at UFC 324

Quick Overview

Key Points

Outline