Arman Tsarukyan says he was informed before his UFC Qatar fight that even if he achieved a highlight reel, he wouldn’t get the next lightweight title.
Ahalkalakets’ took on Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar and won by submission in the second round. He then called up 155-pound champion Ilia Topuria, who has no interest in fighting the Armenian. In the coming weeks, Topuria announced that he would not fight again due to personal reasons. Afterwards, the promotion announced an interim title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, which will headline UFC 324.
After being denied the lightweight title shot, Tsarukyan wanted to fight BMF champion Max Holloway. However, the promotion announced Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira 2, which will serve as the headliner of UFC 326.
Paddy Pimblett’s fate was sealed before Arman Tsarukyan’s UFC fight in Qatar
Arman Tsarukyan says he was aware that ‘The Baddy’ would fight for the title next:
“Before the Hooker fight, they told me even before the fight, ‘Pimblett will fight for the title next and not you, even if you win with the nicest KO. Pimblett will still fight for the title before you.’ And when I dominated Dariush, the fans took my side and asked why Pimblett and not me. But the UFC sees the situation better, they push who is most profitable for them.”
‘Ahalkalakets’ added:
“It’s a business. We have to understand that and wait for our opportunity. There are no hidden reasons. Yes, Dana White already said that I was withdrawing from the [UFC 311] title fight and missed my chance. But after that we had no more problems. They gave me an easy fight and easy money, extended my contract and then gave me a bonus [Hooker] fight, after I submitted him. And this shows that the UFC still needs me and wants me.”
Check out Arman Tsarukyan’s comments below:
Tsarukyan is now gearing up to be the official backup for the UFC 324 interim lightweight title fight. In the meantime, if Topuria is stripped and the Gaethje vs. Pimblett fight becomes an undisputed title fight, the Armenian can get a title shot at his will and fight the winner of the UFC 324 headliner.
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