Paddy Pimblett has taken fresh aim at Arman Tsarukyan, questioning the lightweight contender’s resume and reported decision to turn down a rematch with Mateusz Gamrot.
Speaking to Demetrious Johnson on YouTube, Pimblett blasted Tsarukyan’s recent activity and the idea of him being in line for a title shot. “I’m not a big fan of his at all. I think he’s a f—ing idiot. I don’t even think he deserves the next title shot, lad. He’s beaten Dan Hooker in the past three years. He’s a great athlete. He couldn’t beat Gamrot. Last year, he got offered that rematch and said no.”
Pimblett went even further, saying, “Imagine getting offered a rematch against someone who’s beat you, and you said no. Now that is a b*tch right there,” and adding, “Arman would have been closer to a title shot, beating Gamrot than beating Dan Hooker. Dan Hooker’s a bum, lad. Dan Hooker’s a proper bum. Dan Hooker can’t fight to save his life, lad. Michael Chandler knocked him out, and Michael Chandler’s not in the top 15 anymore.”
Tsarukyan’s only UFC loss came against Gamrot at UFC Vegas 57, and he has competed once in the last two years, submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar. Hooker holds a win over Gamrot.
The verbal back-and-forth between Pimblett and Tsarukyan has been ongoing for several months, and Pimblett now turns his attention to the cage next month, when he is scheduled to face Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.
Earlier this month at UFC White House in Washington, DC, Justin Gaethje became UFC lightweight champion by defeating Ilia Topuria.
