Buddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje: UFC 324 – Pimblett says Elijah Topuria could be stripped of title

Pimblett, 31, shrugged off criticism that front-runner Arman Tsarukyan or those above him, such as Charles Oliveria and Max Holloway, should have been approved before him.

“It makes sense given the situation,” he said.

“We don’t know when Topuria will return and we can’t keep the oath. There were temporary belts made at a lower cost.

“They know we’re not boring. We want to be entertained and that’s what we’re going to do no matter how long we stay.”

Pimblett has enjoyed a rapid rise through the UFC although few people tip the former Cage Warriors champion as a future title contender when he joins the promotion in 2021.

Having beaten every fighter the UFC has put in front of him and building a huge fan base along the way, Pimblett now has a chance to make history as Liverpool’s first UFC titleholder.

Aspinall, Michael Bisping and Leon Edwards are the only British fighters to have won a UFC belt.

“I don’t see Justin going past the third round,” Pimblett said.

“Justin is brave. He’s a boxer — a boxer who kicks his legs — and he doesn’t wrestle much at all.”