Arman Tsarukyan didn’t see this coming.
Over Thanksgiving, UFC CEO Dana White introduced that UFC 324 will likely be headlined by an interim lightiweight title battle between former interim champion Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. The information got here on the heels of light-weight champion Ilia Topuria asserting he can be taking a while off for private causes, and was met with important backlash, on condition that Tsarukyan is the clear-cut No. 1 contender at light-weight. However Tsarukyan has a concept about what occurred.
“I already knew that Paddy was going to battle with Ilia Topuria in January, however I didn’t know they’re going to do interim title vs. Gaethje and Paddy,” Tsarukyan instructed ESPN. “However I knew that UFC needs to do Ilia vs. Paddy, and on my thoughts, I didn’t suppose one thing occurred, even when I knocked [Hooker] out, as a result of they already arrange all issues.
“However on the finish of the day, Ilia didn’t battle, and I believe that is the UFC recreation plan. They wish to make a star [out of] Paddy Pimblett, to convey him to battle for the title with Topuria as an even bigger identify and make a giant battle. Like Khabib vs. Conor, however they’re not even bought the belt.”
Others share Tsarukyan’s sentiment, with a rising perception that “advantage” has develop into more and more much less necessary within the UFC. However for Tsarukyan, that doesn’t matter: he supposed to attain his objectives, by hook or by crook.
“It’s exhausting as a result of it’s your objective,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “Why bullshit man like Paddy beat like one ranked No 12 they usually made a faux rating and put him at 5? It’s a enterprise, it’s not only a sport. So, they’ll do no matter they wish to do, however on the finish of the day, I’m going to be a champion. It’s simply time.”
If Tsarukyan goes to be champion, it received’t be for a while. With Gaethje and Pimblett set to sq. off in January, UFC CEO Dana White has already mentioned the winner will face Topuria someday in 2026. That’s chilly consolation to Tsarukyan, who’s being handed over, however he has another possibility in thoughts, if that occurs.
“They may give me, they’re supposed to offer me a BMF title, a minimum of,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “As a result of what are they going to offer me? Who we’ve got in our division to battle? For me, if it’s not Holloway. there’s no names. Charles Oliveira 2? It don’t make sense. In the event that they wish to see him dropping once more, no drawback. They’ve bought to maintain their legends. Don’t put towards killers.”
UFC 324 takes place on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas.
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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Turtle shells famously don’t slide off.
Tsarukyan shouldn’t battle for the BMF belt. That’s foolish. However he ought to battle for the light-weight title, sooner relatively than later. Hopefully it’s sooner.
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