Paddy Pimblett says his weight cut is progressing smoothly ahead of his interim lightweight title bout at UFC 324, describing himself as “absolutely flying” as he prepares for the final stages of fight week ahead of the biggest test of his career. 

The Liverpool fighter is set to face Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 324, with an interim UFC lightweight title on the line. Pimblett’s weight has long been a talking point in his career due to large fluctuations between fights, making his current update notable as he approaches the 155-pound championship limit.

“I’ve still got weight to lose but I’ve got less weight to lose now than I did have 12 hours before I fought Michael Chandler so I’m flying, I’m absolutely flying,” Pimblett told CBS Sports, as noted by Bloody Elbow.

Pimblett also reflected on the timing of the bout and its impact on his personal schedule, saying, “I’ve never fought this early before, this is the earliest I’ve ever fought and I’m never ever fighting in January or February ever again, I just hope everyone at the UFC knows that because it ruined my Christmas and ruined my birthday, so I’ll never be fighting this early in the year again.”

The fight against Gaethje represents Pimblett’s first opportunity to claim UFC gold, with the interim belt on offer while the division’s undisputed champion Ilia Topuria remains sidelined. A victory would place former Cage Warriors champion Pimblett firmly among the elite at lightweight.

UFC 324 takes place this weekend in Las Vegas and is expected to draw significant attention given the matchup between Pimblett, one of the promotion’s most prominent rising stars, and Gaethje, a former interim champion and perennial contender in the division. The co-main event between Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong is expected to have implications on the title picture at 135-pounds.

Last week, it was revealed that Kayla Harrison had been forced to withdraw from a scheduled women’s bantamweight title defence against Amanda Nunes.