While Arman
Tsarukyan had a title shot booked last year, now even Paddy
Pimblett doesn’t want to fight him.
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Pimblett (23-3) plans to return to action when the
Ultimate Fighting Championship hosts their yearly Abu Dhabi
pay-per-view in October. The Liverpudlian has long been calling out
former featherweight champ Ilia
Topuria. However, that ship has sailed for the time being, as
“La Leyenda” is booked to fight Charles
Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at
UFC 317 on June 28. While Pimblett still hopes for a callout
from Topuria if the Georgian-Spaniard wins, he thinks a fight
against Justin
Gaethje is more plausible.
“I’m hoping to fight in Abu Dhabi in October. I think that’s when
I’m going to be back in the cage. I was thinking Ilia might call me
out if he wins [against Oliveira]. I’d love to beat him if he gets
the belt,” Pimblett told BBC. “I’d love to fight him anyway but
he’s booked, so I think it’s more than likely Justin Gaethje.”
Barring Gaethje, the only Top 5 contender currently unbooked is
Tsarukyan (22-3). However, Pimblett shut down the idea, claiming no
one cares about “Ahalkalakets.” Pimblett wants to fight Gaethje and
expects a title shot if he gets his hand raised.
“No one [cares] about Arman Tsarukyan and people actually want to
watch Gaethje fight. People know it’ll be an exciting fight, me
versus Gaethje,” said Pimblett. “Tsarukyan, he’s just an absolute
tool, and then it’s me and Gaethje. One win away and I’ll be
fighting for the belt. Yeah, that’s always been the aim. It’s the
only aim that we have.”
Pimblett is currently undefeated in seven UFC outings with five
finishes. “The Baddy” is fresh off a stoppage of Michael
Chandler last month, in arguably his toughest matchup to
date.
Meanwhile, Tsarukyan earned a title shot against Islam
Makhachev at UFC 308
last year but pulled out a day before the fight, citing a back
injury. Dana White clearly voiced his disapproval with the move
while confirming that “Ahalkalakets” won’t get the next title shot.
Tsarukyan has not competed since a split decision win over Oliveira
at UFC
300 in April 2024.