Paddy Pimblett has expressed skepticism that Arman Tsarukyan will secure the next UFC lightweight title shot despite his impressive knockout victory over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 this past weekend. Pimblett points out that, although Tsarukyan defeated the No. 7 contender and previously submitted Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, these wins might not be enough to guarantee a championship opportunity.
Pimblett also highlighted the ongoing tension between Ilia Topuria and the current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, suggesting that a title rematch between Topuria and Gaethje could take precedence. He stated, “Given all the drama unfolding between Ilia and Justin, I wouldn’t be surprised if they get a rematch. Arman has definitely positioned himself as the top contender, but he has yet to beat anyone higher than seventh or sixth in the rankings.”
Meanwhile, Tsarukyan has requested that Topuria wait a few more months while he attempts to dethrone Gaethje, after which the Armenian fighter has promised to defend the lightweight title against Topuria.
Pimblett also critiqued Tsarukyan’s overall performance against Ruffy, pointing out that his wrestling skills may not be as strong as he believes. He remarked, “I thought Arman looked pretty rough until he landed that decisive elbow knockout… it really exposed weaknesses in his game.”
During the fight at UFC 331, Tsarukyan struggled in the opening minutes, getting hit early and suffering a badly bruised eye. Moreover, Tsarukyan found it difficult to take Ruffy down and maintain control on the ground before landing the knockout blow.
Fan Take: This debate over Tsarukyan’s title shot underscores UFC’s challenging matchmaking dynamics, where timing and politics often impact who gets a shot at the belt. For fight fans, this adds an intriguing layer of anticipation, as the lightweight division’s future title picture could ignite heated rivalries and unexpected rematches.
Source: www.lowkickmma.com
