Arman Tsarukyan showed why he’s the top contender in the lightweight division in his one-sided win over Dan Hooker in the UFC Qatar main event last weekend. He believed the second-round submission win would earn him a title shot, but the champion would rather fight someone else.
After winning the title by knocking out former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, titleholder Ilia Topuria called out Paddy Pimblett. “The Baddy” was in attendance and entered the octagon and the two had a fiery exchange that ended with Topuria shoving Pimblett. In recent interviews, Topuria reiterated that he’d like to face Pimblett in his first title defense.
Tsarukyan accused Topuria of being ‘scared’ to fight him. He believes “El Matador” is looking for easy matchups that pay well.
“He doesn’t want to fight me. He’s scared of me,” Tsarukyan told Daniel Cormier. “It’s easier to beat Paddy Pimblett, make easy fight and go and move up and Arman can be a champion at 155 and I’m going up and fight for a third title. It’s the best case scenario for him. He’s thinking for easy fights and making good money.”
“He’s just avoiding me. Not doing anything for the media me versus him because he wants to create something with Paddy. He doesn’t want to even mention my name,” continued Tsarukyan.
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Tsarukyan has no intentions of fighting again before receiving a title shot. The next time he steps inside the octagon, he expects it to be for the belt.
“No way,” Tsarukyan answered when asked if he’d take a bout before fighting for the championship. “If it’s not Conor McGregor, I wouldn’t fight.”
Tsarukyan doesn’t think Pimblett poses a threat to Topuria and doubts he can compete with the top of the division.
“Paddy cannot beat even Oliveira. He cannot beat even Hooker. He cannot beat [Dustin] Poirier. He cannot beat [Justin] Gaethje. He cannot beat [Max] Holloway. He cannot beat me. If he’s going to even Gaethje, I’m going to say, yeah, this guy’s good,” Tsarukyan said. “He sucks.”
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