Arman Tsarukyan claims UFC Planned Paddy Pimblett vs.Ilia Topuria Fight, Expresses Disdain for “The Baddy”
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Arman Tsarukyan, a top contender in the UFC lightweight division, alleges the promotion had a pre-persistent plan to pit Paddy Pimblett against Ilia Topuria, nonetheless of the outcome of his recent fight against Dan Hooker. Tsarukyan also voiced strong animosity towards Pimblett,stating he hopes Justin Gaethje defeats him in their upcoming bout. This revelation comes amidst scrutiny surrounding Topuria’s withdrawal from a scheduled fight in early 2026,were he cited personal reasons for his absence. https://www.espn.com/mma
UFC’s Alleged Plan for Topuria vs. Pimblett
According to Tsarukyan, the UFC had been planning a fight between Topuria and Pimblett for several months.He claims he was aware of the plan “four or five months” prior to his November 22nd fight against Dan Hooker in Qatar. Despite perhaps securing a win over hooker, Tsarukyan asserts he was never considered as Topuria’s next opponent because the Pimblett matchup was already set.
“I knew that the UFC wanted a Pimblett against Topuria, and in my mind I kept in mind that even knocking out Hooker couldn’t be me because that fight was prepared,” Tsarukyan stated. “I’ve known about it for four or five months,it was planned for january.”
He further suggests that Topuria’s withdrawal was part of the UFC’s overall strategy. “In the end Ilia says he doesn’t fight and I think this is the game plan,” he added. Topuria did announce his withdrawal, citing a need to focus on his family. https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/12/16/24024499/ilia-topuria-withdraws-from-jan-13-ufc-fight-night-card-cites-personal-reasons
Tsarukyan’s Intense Dislike for Paddy Pimblett
Tsarukyan didn’t hold back when discussing his feelings towards Paddy Pimblett. He openly expressed his desire to see Gaethje defeat Pimblett and detailed how he would approach a fight with “The Baddy” if given the possibility.
“I hope Justin beats him up,” Tsarukyan said. “I would slam Paddy’s face into the floor with my elbows. I’m never going to strangle him, I’ll just elbow him all day. justin, if you need help, really. I hate that idiot. He’s a bastard. If I saw Paddy I’d slap him.”
This strong animosity adds another layer of intrigue to the lightweight division and highlights potential future rivalries.
Upcoming Bout: Gaethje vs. pimblett
Pimblett is scheduled to face Justin Gaethje on March 23, 2024, at UFC 299.https://www.ufc.com/news/paddy-pimblett-vs-justin-gaethje-booked-ufc-299 Gaethje, known for his aggressive striking and durability, represents a significant challenge for Pimblett, who has built a following with his charismatic personality and finishing ability. Tsarukyan’s public support for Gaethje further fuels the anticipation for this matchup.
Key takeaways:
* Arman Tsarukyan alleges the UFC pre-planned a fight between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett.
* Topuria withdrew from a scheduled fight citing personal reasons.
* Tsarukyan harbors strong animosity towards pimblett and is openly rooting for Gaethje to defeat him.
* Pimblett is scheduled to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 299 on March 23, 2024.
This situation raises questions about the UFC’s matchmaking process and the extent to which fights are predetermined. As the lightweight division continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how thes revelations impact future matchups and rivalries.
Worth a look