Paddy Pimblett says his interim lightweight title fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 will not go to the judges, predicting a finish when the pair meet in the main event on January 24.

The British lightweight will face the former title contender with the winner set to move on to a future title unification bout when undisputed champion Ilia Topuria is expected to return in the summer of 2026.

“Someone’s getting finished,” Pimblett said, according to CoinPoker and Bloody Elbow. “One hundred percent, that’s not going to judges.”

Pimblett expressed both respect for his opponent and confidence in the outcome of the fight. “I’m feeling great. I can’t wait. Gaethje is a legend, and to be able to share the cage with him is an honor,” he said. “But that all gets put to one side when I actually get in the cage with him, and I have to put a beat down on him.”

The 29-year-old added that while he had hoped to fight for the undisputed title directly, he remains focused on the opportunity in front of him. “Obviously, I wanted it to be for the undisputed belts against Ilia Topuria,” Pimblett added. “But I’m still going to be a world champion once I beat Gaethje and lift that interim belt.”

Pimblett also acknowledged the challenge of preparing for the earliest fight of his UFC career, particularly over the Christmas period. “This is the earliest I’ve fought,” he said. “I’ve fought in late February before, but I’ve never fought in January. So it’s going to be a rough Christmas dinner. There will be no cheese and crackers afterwards and stuff like that. I’m going to have to do a long run that day. It’s the biggest fight of my life and my career to date. We’ve still got eight weeks to go, but everything is flying so far.”

UFC 324 is scheduled to take place on January 24, with the interim lightweight title on the line in the headline bout, as the division awaits the eventual return of Topuria later in 2026.