Paddy Pimblett ‘never deserved’ UFC title shot, says Arman Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan was not impressed by what he saw from Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324.

Pimblett had a chance to capture his first UFC title this past Saturday, albeit an interim championship. “The Baddy” mixed it up with Justin Gaethje in the headliner for UFC’s debut on Paramount+. Pimblett showed heart, but he was outmatched by the heavy-handed Gaethje, who scored several knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision win.

During an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Tsarukyan said that a big headlining spot for a title was never Pimblett’s place to begin with (h/t MMAJunkie).

“I was enjoying every moment when Gaethje clipped him,” Tsarukyan said. “He’s a (expletive). He doesn’t deserve to be there, you know? That’s why I was like, I was happy because now UFC can see why they put the trash can there. And he never deserved to be there.”

Tsarukyan wouldn’t be surprised if most lightweights in the top 15 rankings can defeat Pimblett if given the chance.

“He has zero technique, to be honest,” Tsarukyan continued. “Oh, my God. I feel like everybody can beat him. The good fighters who are on the prime from top 15, everybody can beat unless, like, it’s Michael Chandler, because Michael Chandler, UFC made him to be on the top 15 as well, like him. … If you go through the list, (Rafael) Fiziev, Benoit (Saint Denis), me, (Charles) Oliveira, (Max) Holloway, everybody can beat him. Dan Hooker beats him 100 percent.”

With Pimblett knocked down a peg, Tsarukyan is hoping that the door has been opened for a future lightweight title fight in 2026. Gaethje has already secured a title unification bout with Ilia Topuria, but the options beyond that are dwindling and Tsarukyan is an obvious choice as a future lightweight title challenger.

How far is Paddy Pimblett from reaching championship status? Tell us in the comment section below.