Paddy Pimblett has openly discounted Arman Tsarukyan as the top contender in the lightweight division. Pimblett scoffed at the suggestion that Tsarukyan should be considered for that title shot, noting he has been out of action since October 2025 with no end in sight to his lengthy layoff. Pimblett himself can put himself directly back in title contention with a win over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329.
Tsarukyan’s Activity Questioned
During UFC 329 media day on Wednesday, Pimblett stated that Tsarukyan needs to fight. He remarked that Tsarukyan has had like one fight in three years and beat an absolute bum. Pimblett explicitly told him to actually fight, rather than go around in a singlet tickling people.
The Liverpudlian fighter referenced Tsarukyan’s most recent win against Dan Hooker, describing it as a lopsided performance for his fifth victory in a row overall. Pimblett also took aim at Tsarukyan’s biggest activity happening in RAF rather than the UFC, where he has become a mainstay in the freestyle wrestling promotion. He pointed out that Tsarukyan is set to compete on Saturday at an RAF event in Georgia, before returning to the United States for a showdown against Colby Covington one week later in Milwaukee.
Pimblett’s biggest frustration whenever Tsarukyan is mentioned as a top contender at lightweight is that none of those matches are happening in the UFC. He urged Tsarukyan to fight anyone, adding: “Just fight someone.” Pimblett concluded by saying Tsarukyan should get in the octagon and actually fight, instead of going around on his private jet eating food.
Path Back to Contention
Pimblett believes he can put himself directly back in title contention with a victory over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329. This is especially true after engaging in a five-round war with future lightweight champion Justin Gaethje back in January. Despite the loss to Gaethje, Pimblett proved he could hang with the best of the best at 155 pounds.
He highlighted that he survived 25 minutes with Gaethje, while Ilia Topuria couldn’t make it past the fourth round, which adds another checkmark in his column. Pimblett has openly stated he knows it is probably going to take a win on Saturday and at least one more before the UFC would put him back in there against Gaethje again. When it comes to his own fight, Pimblett is confident he will dispatch Saint Denis on Saturday. He aims to take the necessary step forward to eventually clash with Gaethje again in the future.
Reflecting on Gaethje Bout
Pimblett said he learned a valuable lesson from that first fight, advising himself: ‘don’t go to war with Justin Gaethje’. He also acknowledged there were mitigating factors working against him that night. Pimblett stated he was not going to use it as an excuse but noted that the eye poke did change the fight in a big way.
He explained that the damage on his face was from an eye poke right hand. Pimblett elaborated, saying it was not just an eye poke, and he felt Gaethje’s thumb touch his brain. He recalled that he could not see for about two rounds after it, indicating the severity of the injury. Still, Pimblett praised Gaethje for the win, as well as for going out there and beating Topuria to claim the undisputed title. He expressed that with Gaethje winning and becoming undisputed champion, it looks good for him.
Now, Pimblett is hoping he will get a second crack at Gaethje in the near future.