Paddy Pimblett and Arman Tsarukyan might be setting up a future fight.
This Saturday, Pimblett returns to the octagon against Michael Chandler in the five-round co-main event of UFC 314. This is the most important fight of Pimblett`s career so far, and a victory could move him into the UFC lightweight Top 10. It appears that Pimblett, aiming for the top ten, already has a conflict with Arman Tsarukyan, who is currently ranked No. 1.
On the Full Send podcast, Pimblett stated, “The old guard of the lightweight division is leaving. … In two or three years, the Top 10 will look completely different. The only person in the Top 10 under 35 that I can think of is Arman Tsarukyan. He`s just a spoiled brat who had everything handed to him on a silver platter by his dad. He`s a little bitch. That`s what you are, Arman. A little bitch boy.”
Pimblett continued, “He was making videos where he does forward flips on his neck, and then he says his back hurts. Dana [White] shut him down in that interview. That`s harsh. You don`t want the boss saying that about you, because he was asked if Arman is still No. 1. He replied, `No, he`ll have to go back to the drawing board.` … Basically, Arman, you shit your pants. You farted and followed through, and now shit is running down your leg.”
Tsarukyan was supposed to fight lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 311 in January, but pulled out of the fight the day before. Renato Moicano stepped in on short notice, and UFC CEO Dana White stated that Tsarukyan would have to earn his title shot again. Tsarukyan hasn`t been booked for a fight since then, but after hearing Pimblett`s comments, it seems the No. 1 ranked lightweight is ready to settle things with Pimblett if he defeats Chandler this weekend.
Tsarukyan responded, “Says the guy who got an easy path to the top in the UFC just because he has a funny accent and a budget Beatles haircut. I dare you to call me out if you win, and we`ll see who shits their pants in the octagon when we meet, clown.”
UFC 314 will take place this Saturday at the Kaseya Center in Miami, and the main event will be a fight for the vacant featherweight title between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
