Paddy Pimblett believes Arman Tsarukyan would prove a ‘stylistically tougher fight’ than Ilia Topuria.
Liverpool’s UFC star Pimblett, 30, is currently waiting in the wings for a shot at lightweight champion Topuria, with his boss Dana White expected to make an announcement in the not-too-distant future.
Topuria came eye-to-eye with Pimblett after knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, and it seems like their eventual meeting is inevitable nowGettyTopuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to win the lightweight strap, having also held featherweight gold, and faced off with Pimblett in the Octagon after his celebrations.
‘El Matador’ has since been linked to make his first defence of the 155lbs strap against either Pimblett, Tsarukyan, or Justin Gaethje.
Pimblett has said he would fight someone else like Tsarukyan before Topuria, but believes the commercial value of making the title fight for the UFC, especially following the promotion’s $7.7billion broadcast deal with Paramount, is too good to miss out on.
The pair also share a mutual hatred with one another and have a longtime, bitter rivalry dating back many years that makes their encounter all the more appetising.
‘The Baddy’ has noted several paths to victory in a blockbuster fight with Topuria and says he would face a tougher challenge against Tsarukyan.
Paddy Pimblett says Arman Tsarukyan is a ‘tougher fight’ than Ilia Topuria
“Stylistically, Arman is a tougher fight than Ilia,” Pimblett told Eldoberdan MMA.
“He’s more of a proper lightweight. He’s got better grappling than Ilia.
“Ilia has better striking, but I just think stylistically, for me, styles make fights.
“Everyone fights each other differently, and I think stylistically, Arman will be a tougher fight for me.”
Tsarukyan, 28, is the No. 1 contender at lightweight, but is currently out of favour with his bosses, having pulled out of title fight on late notice in January.
UFC Lightweight Rankings
Champion: Ilia Topuria
Islam Makhachev (moving up to welterweight for next fight) Arman Tsarukyan Max Holloway Charles Oliveira Justin Gaethje Dan Hooker Paddy Pimblett Mateusz Gamrot Beneil Dariush Rafael Fiziev Renato Moicano Michael Chandlrt Benoit Saint Denis Grant Dawson Mauricio RuffyThe Armenian was scheduled to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, but withdrew from the card on a days’ notice, citing a back problem as the issue.
He hasn’t fought since outpointing Oliveira at UFC 300, but may have to take on someone else before earning the trust of White and gaining another title shot.
What is Pimblett’s UFC record?
Pimblett, meanwhile, is undefeated in the UFC, having won all seven of his bouts in the promotion since his September 2021 debut.
The Liverpudlian cemented his status as one of the top-ranked 155lbs fighters by dominating Michael Chandler and stopping the American in three rounds in his last fight at UFC 314.
‘The Baddy’ thought he may have had to contest one more fight before getting his first UFC title shot.
But, after seeing Topuria knock out Oliveira, that is the fight Pimblett wants, and he’s sure of getting the victory should it come to fruition.
Pimblett sees many paths to victory in Topuria title fight
Pimblett and Topuria are both undefeated in the UFCJordan Brightman-Charles - talkSPORT“I would enjoy 12-6 elbowing Ilia in the face until he’s unconscious,” Pimblett added.
“I can see so many ways that I finish him. Everyone thinks that it would be a one-sided fight on the feet, but I can see myself knocking him out with kicks and knees and elbows.
“I’m not going to do what Charles did and come out and have a boxing match with him, because I know he’s a very good boxer.
“I respect his hands. I respect him as a fighter, he’s very good, but once I get on top of him, he wouldn’t be able to get back up.
“He wouldn’t be able to. I’d elbow him that many times that he looks like The Elephant Man.”
Pimblett, a Liverpool fan, has said that he would happily travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Topuria in the home of his club Real Madrid.
Pimblett had a career best win over Chandler in Miami five months agoGetty The Liverpudlian wants a chance to dethrone Topuria, who flattened OIiveira at UFC 317GettyHe called it a ‘s*******’ and asserted he would love nothing more than to punch Topuria’s head in on enemy territory.
Topuria wouldn’t be able to handle his emotions says Pimblett
“When I fight him, he’s never fought with emotion before,” Pimblett concluded, speaking on how he believes emotion would negatively impact Topuria if they fought.
“He goes into every fight calm and calculated. With me, I’m already in his head.
“He’s not going to fight me like he fights everyone else. He’s going to try and take my head off, and he’s going to get his head taken off in the process.”
Pimblett and Topuria are two of the biggest UFC stars right now and a fight between them has the potential to be the biggest of all time in White’s promotion.
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