Paddy Pimblett is hoping to leapfrog Arman Tsarukyan into title contention.
Former Cage Warriors champion Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has emerged as one of the UFC’s biggest lightweight stars in recent years. After a strong start to his UFC career, the Liverpool native scored an impressive win over former Bellator champion Michael Chandler at UFC 314 earlier this year, propelling him into the top ten at 155 pounds.
Pimblett has shared a heated rivalry with Ilia Topuria since an altercation before UFC London in 2022. After Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) was crowned the new UFC lightweight champion at UFC 317 in June, Pimblett stepped into the Octagon to face off with “El Matador.”
"Hopefully, it is going to be me vs. the chorizo next," Pimblett said this week on his YouTube channel. "And I think that's what all the Americans want, because every American I bumped into keeps saying, 'When are you going to smash that sausage's head in?' I'm hoping that gets sorted, but I understand that I am like ranked nine or something. So, other people probably are more deserving, but 'posh boy' definitely isn't – little rich boy Arman."
Arman Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) — currently ranked seven spots above Pimblett in the UFC’s official lightweight standings — was scheduled to face then-champion Islam Makhachev in the main event at UFC 311 in January but was forced to withdraw at the last minute due to a back injury.
Rumors have since circulated that difficulties making the 155-pound limit may have played a major role in Tsarukyan’s decision to pull out. That speculation has fueled Pimblett’s dismissal of Tsarukyan’s calls for another title shot.
"Spoiled rich baby trying to pay their way out of things," Pimblett said. "That's why he quit when he was making weight in a bath like a little b*tch. Arman's irrelevant. No one cares about him."
Another fighter eyeing a shot at Topuria is Justin Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC). Rumors had been swirling that Pimblett could be matched against “The Highlight” in a No. 1 contender bout later this year, but Gaethje quickly shot down the idea, declaring he would retire if he wasn’t granted an immediate title opportunity.
"As I always say, I've got nothing but respect for Justin, but I keep seeing in interviews him saying he doesn't want to fight me," Pimblett said. "I think the only fight to make is me and Ilia."
