\n<\/p>\n
Pimblett, 31, brushed away criticism that number one challenger Arman Tsarukyan or those above him, like Charles Oliveria and Max Holloway, should have been given the nod before him.<\/p>\n
“It makes sense given the situation,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We don’t know when Topuria is coming back and we can’t hold the division up. There’s been interim belts made for less.<\/p>\n
“They know we aren’t boring. We want to entertain and it’s what we’ll do for however long we last.”<\/p>\n
Pimblett has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the UFC despite few people tipping the former Cage Warriors champion as a future title contender when he joined the promotion in 2021.<\/p>\n
Having beaten every fighter the UFC has put in front of him and built a massive fanbase along the way, Pimblett now has the chance to make history as Liverpool’s first UFC title holder.<\/p>\n
Aspinall, Michael Bisping and Leon Edwards are the only UK fighters to have won a UFC belt.<\/p>\n
“I don’t see Justin getting past the third round,” Pimblett said.<\/p>\n
“Justin’s a brawler. He’s a boxer – a boxer with leg kicks – and doesn’t really grapple much at all.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n