As Paddy Pimblett prepares for the biggest night of his career, an interim lightweight title clash with Justin Gaethje, the man many believe should have been in that spot is watching from the sidelines. His bitter rival, Arman Tsarukyan, isn’t hiding his frustration.
Instead, he’s aiming it squarely at Pimblett, urging him to do more to promote the fight while taking a sly dig at the Briton’s well-documented weight fluctuations.
Paddy Pimblett’s Title Moment Sparks Arman Tsarukyan’s Fury
With UFC 324, 2026’s first blockbuster right around the corner, the community has gone ablaze. Armenian grappler, Arman Tsarukyan, has fired fresh shots against the Englishman. “It’s Chubby Paddy fight week, but I’m doing the press run,” he quipped. “Wake up, fatass, and get to work. It’s not a good look for the UFC.”
The comment was a direct response to the 31-year-old’s recent media blitz, where the Liverpool star didn’t just celebrate his surprise title opportunity; he dismissed Arman Tsarukyan entirely. With lightweight champion Ilia Topuria sidelined due to personal matters, the UFC moved quickly to book Pimblett vs. Gaethje for interim gold. This decision immediately raised eyebrows across the lightweight division.
Arman Tsarukyan tells Paddy Pimblett to do some better promotion for his upcoming fight
"Wake up fatass and get to work. It's not a good look for the UFC." 💀
(via @ArmanUfc) pic.twitter.com/PY8qdjCYGT
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 20, 2026
Arman Tsarukyan, ranked above both men, was the loudest critic left out in the cold. Pimblett, however, made it clear he believes Tsarukyan has only himself to blame. Speaking ahead of UFC 324, Pimblett earlier brushed off the outrage, claiming circumstances and behavior worked against his rival.
Paddy Pimblett Delivers Classic Response to Arman Tsarukyan
“I think it’s just the way it panned out,” Pimblett stated. “Ilia’s sat out, Arman’s a little (expletive deleted,) they don’t really want to give it to him… Max (Holloway) and Charles (Oliveira) are fighting for the BMF belt, it all just worked out that it was me and Gaethje left.”
The remarks were vintage Pimblett, provocative, unapologetic, and guaranteed to get a reaction. He doubled down by pointing to Arman Tsarukyan’s recent controversies, including a suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission following an altercation with a fan at UFC 300 and a headbutt during a weigh-in faceoff with Dan Hooker.
Even the UFC CEO, Dana White, has been blunt about why Tsarukyan was passed over, repeatedly citing his late withdrawal from a scheduled title fight against then-champion Islam Makhachev in early 2025, along with his disciplinary issues.
Arman Tsarukyan Upset by Title Fight Picture
Still, Arman Tsarukyan sees hypocrisy in the situation. While Pimblett and “The Highlight” headline the UFC’s first event under a massive new broadcast deal with Paramount, Tsarukyan believes merit has taken a back seat to marketability, and he isn’t shy about calling it out.
Pimblett, for his part, insists he’s not ducking anyone. Despite repeatedly insulting Arman Tsarukyan, he claims he’d happily defend the belt against him if Topuria remains off table.
“If I ever got offered to fight Arman,” Pimblett said. “I would have punched his head in by now. He irritates me. He’s an absolute helmet.”
For now, the 29-year-old contender remains on the outside looking in, watching Pimblett soak up the spotlight. But with tensions escalating and words flying freely, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: win or lose against Gaethje, Pimblett’s path forward may eventually lead straight to Arman Tsarukyan.
