Arman Tsarukyan doesn’t assume Paddy Pimblett ought to be anyplace close to the UFC light-weight title.
In the meanwhile, present champion Ilia Topuria awaits his first challenger, although Pimblett has made a robust case for himself with a 7-0 document within the UFC and an in-cage confrontation with “El Matador” at UFC 317. Tsarukyan was speculated to have challenged for the title already this previous January when Islam Makhachev was champion, however a again damage compelled Tsarukyan out of that chance on the final minute.
Regardless that he hasn’t fought in over a yr, Tsarukyan nonetheless believes he ought to be thought of the No. 1 contender, particularly in comparison with Pimblett.
“You’ve received to delete [Pimblett] from the rankings,” Tsarukyan mentioned on the Overdogs Podcast. “He’s not even deserving to be in prime 10. He beat the final three guys, it was [Michael] Chandler, he had three losses. It was Bobby Inexperienced, he had three or 4 losses. It was Tony Ferguson, he had eight losses. That’s loopy and also you need to carry that man to struggle for the title? You shouldn’t even point out his identify, he doesn’t even deserve even mentioning his identify.”
Pimblett’s physique of labor has been closely scrutinized since he made his UFC debut in 2021. The Englishman has garnered a big following together with his thrilling offensive model and energetic promo abilities, however an in depth name in opposition to Jared Gordon at UFC 282 and the prolonged dropping streaks of his previous three opponents (Michael Chandler, Bobby Inexperienced, and Tony Ferguson) has critics poking holes in his contender case.
Tsarukyan hopes Pimblett’s rivalry with Topuria and their in-cage theatrics don’t sway the matchmakers.
“No one mentioned he’s getting the title shot,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “So they’re nonetheless determining who’s preventing for the title, me, [Justin] Gaethje, or Paddy. However I do know they’ve received to place me as a result of I’m the No. 1 contender proper now.”
Ought to Tsarukyan must struggle once more to re-earn his title alternative, he sees numerous veteran names within the combine, together with Justin Gaethje or Dan Hooker. Who he has to undergo to get to Topuria doesn’t matter to him, although.
“I imply, if it’s not a title struggle, it’s in all probability Gaethje or Pimblett or Hooker,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “I don’t know.”
“If it’s Gaethje, it’s struggle,” he added. “He’s striker, however he was a wrestler, so now he strikes extra. It’s struggle for me. All of them are good fights for me, so it’s straightforward cash.”
