Paddy Pimblett to Be Stripped of UFC Title Chance if He Breaks Strict Rule

Paddy Pimblett must abide by a strict rule or risk not being able to compete for the interim UFC lightweight title against Justin Gaethje.

Pimblett is set to return to action in a blockbuster showdown following Dana White's huge announcement on Thanksgiving during the broadcast of the NFL fixture between the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs.

He faces MMA legend Gaethje in the main-event of UFC 324 on January 24 in Las Vegas.

'The Baddy' has earned his first shot at UFC gold after registering seven wins in a row inside the famed Octagon following his move from Cage Warriors, having beaten the likes of Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson and King Green.

He will now aim to become a UFC champion against Gaethje.

But Pimblett must follow a strict weight rule in order to compete for the interim UFC lightweight title.

Paddy Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje for the interim UFC lightweight title at UFC 324. Image: Getty

There is no weight allowance for UFC title fights, meaning Pimblett must weigh in at or below the exact limit of 155lbs or miss out on competing for the belt.

A one-pound leeway is permitted in non-title bouts, but there is no grace given for championship fights in the UFC.

Pimblett scaled 156lbs for his non-title lightweight clash against Chandler at UFC 314 in April.

He will have to cut an extra pound for his interim UFC championship bout against Gaethje in the new year.

Paddy Pimblett weighed 156lbs at the official UFC 314 weigh-ins for his fight against Michael Chandler. Image: Getty

What happens if Paddy Pimblett misses weight at UFC 324?

If Pimblett fails to make 155lbs on the dot (or less), then he won't be eligible to win the interim UFC lightweight title.

The bout would still go ahead, allowing Gaethje to win it as long as he makes weight.

The 30-year-old has successfully made weight in each of his seven UFC contests, but he missed weight twice during his spell with Cage Warriors.

He missed weight on two occasions when he campaigned in the bantamweight division.

Pimblett often begins his training camps far from the lightweight mark and usually performs a drastic weight cut to make the limit.

Even though the bout is less than two months away, the Liverpool fighter has been working tirelessly behind the scenes and should be in peak physical condition on January 24.