‘Got banned’ – Paddy Pimblett blasts UFC rival in brutal breakdown about why he didn’t get title shot

Paddy Pimblett has brutally reeled off a list of reasons as to why his rival Arman Tsarukyan wasn’t awarded a lightweight title shot.

Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight belt at UFC 324 on January 24, but Tsarukyan felt like it should’ve been him fighting for gold.

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Tsarukyan cemented his status as the No. 1 contender at 155lbs by submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar last month.

Pimblett, who was also in Qatar supporting teammates Luke Riley and Shem Rock, hasn’t fought since dominating Michael Chandler at UFC 304 in April.

However, the 30-year-old has crept slowly up the lightweight rankings over the last eight months and currently holds fifth spot.

‘The Baddy’ is undefeated in Dana White‘s promotion, and his star power would’ve played a big factor in him being picked for the title fight, especially as the UFC enters a new broadcast deal with Paramount+.

Pimblett: Tsarukyan already had his chance

Although Tsarukyan and a lot of MMA fans believe the UFC’s decision to put Pimblett in a fight with Gaethje removed any sign of meritocracy in the promotion, the Liverpudlian had a good point when breaking down why his rival wasn’t selected for the bout.

“People talk about my last three wins, and yes, Tony Ferguson was on his way out,” Pimblett told Full Send MMA.

“But [Beneil] Dariush (who Tsarukyan beat in December 2023) looks about 65.

“He’s got a full head of grey hair, he beat Dariush. He didn’t beat Charles Oliveira; a lot of people didn’t think he won that fight.

“On his way out of the cage, he punched a fan, got banned. The UFC probably had to pay a huge f******* fee for the fella not to sue them.

“He then got his title shot [against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311] and, ‘Oh, I’ve got a bad back.’

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“He f****** got beat by back pain when really he probably just couldn’t make weight.”

Tsarukyan pulled out of his lightweight title fight with Makhachev in January, citing a back injury as the main reason.

Pimblett continued: “[Tsarukyan] sits out for 11 months, gets offered a fight against [Mateusz] Gamrot and says no.

“If I got offered a fight against someone who has beaten me, I’d be taking that fight immediately.

“Then, fights Dan Hooker, headbutts him at the weigh-in, and nearly ruined another main event.

“You can understand why he’s not in that position, and as much as I like Dan Hooker, he’s sound, [but] he’s s***.

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“He can’t grapple to save his life. He couldn’t grapple if his mum’s life depended on it.

“If I had that guillotine wrapped up on Arman, he’s going unconscious. If Dan Hooker is nearly guillotining you, you’re s*** at jiu-jitsu.”

UFC CEO White was asked why he didn’t give Tsarukyan a title shot this past weekend.

“I wouldn’t say that he’s the odd man out,” White explained at UFC 323‘s post-fight press conference.

“He had an opportunity, you guys know how that played out, and he’s going to have to work his way back.

“I don’t give a s*** what the number says, he’s going to have to work his way back.”

Tsarukyan is likely to be matched up with someone far lower-ranked than him if he wants to remain active.

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has said that he’s taking a break from the sport to deal with a personal matter.

No.2 and No.3-ranked lightweights Oliveira and Max Holloway are booked to face one another at UFC 326 in March.

Hooker, who is ranked sixth at 155lbs, faces No.8-ranked lightweight Benoit Saint Denis in Australia at UFC 325, while Rafael Fiziev and Mauricio Ruffy are also booked to fight on the same card.

This leaves No.7 lightweight Gamrot as the highest-ranked opponent who Tsarukyan could face.

Tsarukyan was outpointed by Gamrot on a Las Vegas Fight Night card back in December 2023, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see the UFC again offer the Armenian star the opportunity to exact revenge.