Arman Tsarukyan says Paddy Pimblett was “pushed up the rankings artificially” and his title shot against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 was “completely undeserved”.
Liverpool’s Pimblett suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Gaethje in Las Vegas on Saturday as he missed out on the interim lightweight title in an action-packed bout.
Armenia’s Tsarukyan is first in the UFC’s lightweight rankings but UFC president Dana White says he was overlooked for the title bout in favour of Pimblett and Gaethje.
Pimblett went into the fight at the T-Mobile Arena fifth in the rankings, while American Gaethje was fourth.
“That’s what happens when you’re gifted opportunities and pushed up the rankings artificially, a completely undeserved title shot for Paddy,” Tsarukyan wrote on X.
“Congratulations to Justin. He showed real heart, and unlike others he’ll step up and take the fight with me. Respect.”
Tsarukyan, 29, was set to face former champion Islam Makhachev for the lightweight last January but pulled out of the fight one day before with injury.
He has not been scheduled for a title fight since by UFC matchmakers, despite beating Dan Hooker in November to extend his winning streak to five.
The interim bout between Pimblett and Gaethje was set up after champion Ilia Topuria said he would not be fighting early in 2026 while he deals with personal issues following his divorce.
Following the bout, Topuria told Pimblett he has missed out on the “biggest paycheck” of his life in failing to set up a unification fight.
“Little sausage, the only thing you had to do was beat a 37-year-old guy. You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life,” Topuria wrote on X.
“You were going to get rich if you won. Justin, all I can say is congratulations… and I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what.”