UFC CEO Dana White used the Thanksgiving Day CBS broadcast of the Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs NFL recreation to announce a number of high-profile fights that’ll kick off the struggle promotion’s new 12 months below the media rights settlement with Paramount.
The primary UFC occasion below the brand new partnership, UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett, takes place on Jan. 24 at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas. The struggle card is headlined by an interim light-weight title bout between former interim titleholder and No. 4 ranked contender Justin Gaethje and No. 5 ranked Paddy Pimblett.
Almost as quickly because the interim title bout was introduced it started receiving criticism. Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling was one who voiced his disapproval of the matchup.
„We’ve got a little bit little bit of a debacle occurring for these title pictures. Dana introduced some huge fights, some huge fights that had been very, very complicated. Enjoyable fights nonetheless, however very, very complicated,“ Sterling stated on his YouTube channel.
„Let’s begin with the plain. The No. 1 (light-weight) contender, Arman Tsarukyan, he was alleged to struggle Islam Makhachev. Obtained harm, and understandably pulled out and had some repercussions from the UFC brass, which I perceive. However the man made up for it.
„He weighed in as a backup fighter, which sucks. Yeah, they pay you, nevertheless it sucks. You must weight, not even realizing if you are going to really struggle,“ continued Sterling. „He did that, backup fighter, did not get the decision, however could wait and present the UFC he is an organization man, he’ll do what he can to maker issues proper. Then he goes on and he fights once more, defends his No. 1 spot, beats Dan Hooker and will get a end.“
Associated: Ilia Topuria taking prolonged break, interim title created
We do not definitively know what came about behind the scenes, however Sterling would not consider Tsarukyan would have turned down an interim title struggle towards both Gaethje or Pimblett. It seems the highest contender was handed over.
„I am certain if he (Tsarukyan) had the chance to struggle for the interim title between Paddy Pimblett or Justin Gaethje, he would have accomplished it except we’re all fully mistaken and he stated, ‚No. I solely need to struggle for the title or that is it, and that is towards Ilia,'“ stated Sterling.
„I believe Arman would have taken the struggle. That is simply what I might assume. It is not too dangerous of a turnaround. And on high of that, he simply received. Obtained a end. Did not take numerous harm. I do not understand how exhausting the coaching camp was, however did not take numerous harm. It simply sucks to see that,“ added the previous champion.
After the interim title bout was introduced, Tsarukyan had a four-word response. „Make it make sense,“ he wrote on X.
