Ali Akbar RosadyArman Tsarukyan, widely regarded as the top contender in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight division, has voiced significant disappointment following the promotion’s decision to schedule an interim title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. The announcement, made by UFC CEO Dana White over Thanksgiving, confirmed that UFC 324 would feature the interim lightweight championship bout, a development that has generated considerable debate within the mixed martial arts community.
The decision to bypass Tsarukyan for the interim title shot came on the heels of reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria’s declaration that he would be taking an unspecified period off for personal reasons. Topuria’s temporary absence created a vacancy at the top of the division, prompting the UFC to establish an interim champion. However, the choice of contenders, particularly the inclusion of Pimblett, has drawn criticism, with many analysts and fans pointing to Tsarukyan’s superior record and ranking.
Tsarukyan, currently ranked No. 1 in the official UFC lightweight standings, holds an impressive professional record of 22-3. His recent run includes a dominant knockout victory over Beneil Dariush at UFC on ESPN 52 in December 2023, following prior wins against Joaquim Silva, Damir Ismagulov, and Mateusz Gamrot. His only loss in the past five years came in a closely contested unanimous decision against current undisputed champion Islam Makhachev in 2019, a fight that many considered a breakout performance for Tsarukyan despite the defeat.
In contrast, Paddy Pimblett, while a popular figure, holds a professional record of 21-3 and is ranked No. 5 in the lightweight division. His most recent victory was a unanimous decision over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 in December 2023. Prior to that, he secured a controversial unanimous decision against Jared Gordon at UFC 282 in December 2022, a fight where many observers believed Gordon had done enough to win. Pimblett’s rise has been characterized by a strong fan following and engaging personality, rather than an extensive resume against top-ranked opponents.
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Speaking to ESPN, Tsarukyan offered his perspective on the situation, suggesting a strategic move by the promotion. "I already knew that Paddy was going to fight with Ilia Topuria in January, but I didn’t know they’re going to do interim title vs. Gaethje and Paddy," Tsarukyan stated. "But I knew that UFC wants to do Ilia vs. Paddy, and on my mind, I didn’t think something happened, even if I knocked [Hooker] out, because they already set up all things."
He elaborated on his theory regarding the UFC’s motivations. "But at the end of the day, Ilia didn’t fight, and I think this is the UFC game plan. They want to make a star [out of] Paddy Pimblett, to bring him to fight for the title with Topuria as a bigger name and make a big fight. Like Khabib vs. Conor, but they’re not even got the belt." This perspective aligns with a growing sentiment among a segment of the MMA community that "merit" and divisional rankings have become increasingly secondary to "business" and marketability in the UFC’s matchmaking decisions.
Tsarukyan did not mince words regarding his perception of the situation. "It’s hard because it’s your goal," he expressed. "Why bullshit guy like Paddy beat like one ranked No 12 and they made a fake ranking and put him at five? It’s a business, it’s not just a sport. So, they can do whatever they want to do, but at the end of the day, I’m going to be a champion. It’s just time." His remarks underscore the tension between athletic achievement and commercial strategy that frequently characterizes modern professional sports.
The interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett is scheduled for UFC 324 on January 24 in Las Vegas. Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion himself, currently holds the "BMF" (Baddest Motherf***er) title, which he won by defeating Dustin Poirier via knockout at UFC 291 in July 2023. With an overall record of 25-4, Gaethje represents a formidable challenge for Pimblett. Dana White has indicated that the winner of the Gaethje-Pimblett bout will face the undisputed champion Ilia Topuria sometime in 2026, pushing Tsarukyan’s potential title shot further into the future.
Faced with this extended timeline, Tsarukyan has begun to explore alternative high-profile matchups. He proposed a contest for the "BMF" title, specifically naming former featherweight champion Max Holloway as his preferred opponent. "They could give me, they’re supposed to give me a BMF title, at least," Tsarukyan stated. "Because what are they going to give me? Who we have in our division to fight? For me, if it’s not Holloway, there’s no names."
Max Holloway, known for his relentless striking and iron chin, is a fan favorite with a professional record of 25-7. He previously held the UFC Featherweight Championship and has engaged in numerous iconic battles. A fight between Tsarukyan and Holloway, while not directly impacting the lightweight title picture, would undoubtedly be a major draw, pitting two of the sport’s most exciting fighters against each other. The BMF title, first introduced in 2019 for the fight between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz, serves as a symbolic championship for the most entertaining and fearless competitor.
Tsarukyan also addressed the possibility of a rematch with former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, whom he defeated via second-round TKO at UFC 300 in April 2024. "Charles Oliveira 2? It don’t make sense. If they want to see him losing again, no problem. They’ve got to take care of their legends. Don’t put against killers." This sentiment reflects a desire to move forward in his career against new challenges rather than revisiting past victories, especially against a respected veteran like Oliveira.
Other Developments in Mixed Martial Arts:
In other notable news across the UFC landscape, heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall has reiterated his desire for a rematch with Ciryl Gane, whom he described as a "big cheater." Aspinall, who suffered a knee injury just 15 seconds into their first bout in July 2022, revealed paperwork confirming a serious eye injury he sustained prior to that fight, adding another layer to his call for revenge. Gane, a former interim heavyweight champion, has since fought twice, losing to Jon Jones and defeating Serghei Spivac.
Former bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw defended his decision to take his final title fight against Aljamain Sterling in October 2022 despite suffering a significant shoulder injury. Dillashaw, who lost the fight via TKO, stated, "Aljamain Sterling to me was the weakest champion," implying he believed he could have won even with the injury.
Tyron Woodley, a former welterweight champion, offered a blunt assessment of Kamaru Usman’s legacy, stating, "Kamaru Usman is not the greatest welterweight of all time… he is the one that kissed the most ass." Woodley, whom Usman defeated to claim the welterweight title in March 2019, continues to be critical of his former opponent’s career trajectory.
UFC CEO Dana White recently weighed in on the persistent issue of eye pokes in the octagon, suggesting that "harder penalties" are likely the most effective solution. The frequency of accidental eye pokes has been a concern for fighters and officials alike, leading to calls for stricter enforcement.
Finally, UFC legend Georges St-Pierre defended Islam Makhachev’s performance at UFC 322, where Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier via submission. St-Pierre commented that critics of Makhachev’s win "don’t understand the art of fighting," implying that the subtleties of high-level grappling and tactical approaches are often overlooked by casual observers.
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MMADecember 1, 2025Tsarukyan Expresses Disappointment Over Lightweight Title Snub, Eyes Holloway for BMF Belt Amidst UFC’s Strategic Shifts- MMADecember 1, 2025Tom Aspinall promises revenge on ‘big cheater’ Ciryl Gane, reveals paperwork confirming serious eye injury
MMADecember 1, 2025Georges St-Pierre: Critics of Islam Makhachev’s UFC 322 win ‘don’t understand the art of fighting’- MMADecember 1, 2025T.J. Dillashaw Reflects on Controversial Sterling Bout, Citing Injury and Perceived Vulnerabilities
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