At UFC 329 media day this week, Paddy Pimblett took aim at Arman Tsarukyan’s claim to the number one challenger spot in the lightweight division, insisting the Armenian must leave his wrestling endeavours and compete in the Octagon to earn real contender status. Pimblett made his remarks ahead of his co-main event clash with Benoit Saint-Denis this Saturday in Las Vegas.
Pimblett questions Tsarukyan’s credentials
Despite five straight wins in the UFC, Arman Tsarukyan has not stepped inside the Octagon since last November, when he defeated Dan Hooker in the UFC Qatar main event. Instead, Tsarukyan has spent recent months competing in Real American Freestyle Wrestling events, a move Pimblett believes has undermined his standing in the 155-pound hierarchy.
“He’s had like one fight in three years and he beat an absolute bum,” Pimblett said at the media day. “He needs to actually fight, not go round in a singlet tickling people. Get in the Octagon and actually fight, stop going round on your private jet eating food.”
Focus on UFC 329 and title contention
Pimblett enters UFC 329 off the back of a loss to Justin Gaethje earlier this year and views the contest with Benoit Saint-Denis as a stepping stone back into title contention. A victory over the ‘God of War’ could, in Pimblett’s eyes, reopen discussions of a rematch with Gaethje, who now holds the lightweight crown.
Alongside plans for a possible Gaethje rematch, Pimblett has begun publicly campaigning for a bout with Conor McGregor, who returns this weekend to face Max Holloway in the main event. However, McGregor has already ruled out a return to lightweight following UFC 329, putting Pimblett’s lightweight ambitions squarely on his own performance.
Lightweight title picture remains unsettled
With Tsarukyan inactive in the Octagon, Ilia Topuria unlikely to earn an immediate rematch after his June defeat, and McGregor committed to the featherweight ranks, the road to Justin Gaethje’s title looks unsettled. Max Holloway looms as a compelling option, having earned a headline slot against McGregor, though his UFC 329 outcome will determine his proximity to gold.
Pimblett’s public challenge to Tsarukyan adds further intrigue to the lightweight chase, as the division braces for shifts once UFC 329 concludes this weekend.
As UFC 329 draws near, attention will centre not only on Pimblett’s performance but also on how the wider lightweight roster realigns when the dust settles in Las Vegas.
FAQ
Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting at UFC 329?
Paddy Pimblett faces French lightweight Benoit Saint-Denis in the co-main event of UFC 329 this Saturday. Pimblett aims to rebound from his earlier loss to Justin Gaethje and re-establish himself in the title conversation.
Why did Pimblett criticise Arman Tsarukyan?
Pimblett argued that Tsarukyan, despite five consecutive UFC wins, has not fought in the Octagon since November and has instead competed in wrestling events, which Pimblett believes does not merit number one contender status.
What did Tsarukyan last achieve in the UFC?
Arman Tsarukyan last fought in the UFC Qatar main event in November, where he defeated Dan Hooker. He has since focused on freestyle wrestling to stay active.
How does the lightweight title picture look after UFC 329?
With Ilia Topuria not in line for an immediate rematch, Conor McGregor at featherweight and Tsarukyan inactive, the division’s next challenger will likely emerge from the performances of Max Holloway, Pimblett, and other top contenders at UFC 329.
