Arman Tsarukyan Unleashes a Fiery Tirade, Labeling Paddy Pimblett the 'Worst UFC Fighter'
Following UFC 324, rising contender Arman Tsarukyan didn't mince words when discussing the performance and overall skill set of Paddy Pimblett. Tsarukyan, who was himself removed from the interim lightweight title picture, watched intently from cageside as Pimblett faced Justin Gaethje.
Pimblett had a golden opportunity to claim the interim UFC lightweight championship, but ultimately fell short in a unanimous decision loss to Gaethje. Tsarukyan, present at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, shared his unfiltered thoughts on Pimblett's performance during an appearance on "The Ariel Helwani Show."
"I was enjoying every moment when Gaethje clipped him," Tsarukyan admitted. "... He's a bitch. 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."
Gaethje secured the interim championship for the second time with scorecards of 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46. While Tsarukyan expressed some admiration for Gaethje, his assessment of Pimblett was starkly different.
"Gaethje, he's good, but he got tired from the second round," Tsarukyan stated. "He dropped him, and he couldn't stop him because he's tired from the first round – and Paddy Pimblett, he has zero MMA skills. He has a chin, and that's it. ... He has zero technique, to be honest. 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."
Tsarukyan believes Pimblett's performance was a clear indication that he needs significant time to recover, suggesting a break of five to six years for his brain to heal. He even went as far as to suggest that the UFC should consider releasing Pimblett from their roster.
But here's where it gets controversial... Tsarukyan didn't hold back, stating, "I would like UFC cut him out. Bullsh*t guy. Worst UFC fighter. ... He's so bad. He's not – I'm saying like real, right? (Ilia) Topuria, I'm not saying he's a bad fighter, right? He's a good fighter. Islam (Makhachev), good fighter. Oliveira, good fighter. Holloway, good fighter. (Dustin) Poirier, good fighter. But like this trash can, he's zero fighter. Not because I hate him, because it's real like that. If you give me like, give me Paddy, I would play. I would like, I think, during the fight, I'm going to decide what I should do, knock him out, or choke him out, like with Hooker, you know?"
And this is the part most people miss... Tsarukyan's harsh assessment stems from a belief that Pimblett lacks fundamental fighting skills, contrasting him with other top-tier fighters. He feels that Pimblett's current standing in the UFC is not a reflection of genuine talent.
What are your thoughts on Tsarukyan's strong words? Do you agree that Pimblett lacks the skills to compete at the highest level of the UFC, or do you believe his potential is being underestimated? Let us know in the comments below!
