Even Paddy Pimblett was impressed by Arman Tsarukyan’s win over the weekend, but not too impressed.
On Saturday, Tsarukyan delivered one of the best performances of his career, knocking out Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event of UFC 331 in Los Angeles. The win was so impressive that even long-time Tsarukyan hater, Paddy Pimblett, had to give him props for the performance.
“That was lovely. That was lovely, Arman,” Pimblett said on his YouTube channel. “That was a nasty elbow, lad. Gotta give him his due. As much as I don’t like him, that was a naughty elbow.”
Pimblett and Tsarukyan have been embroiled in a low-key feud for years, primarily centered around the lightweight title picture. So of course, Pimblett wasn’t complimentary for long.
“I thought he looked pretty shit up until the point of the elbow,” Pimblett said. “His eye’s messed up already. I wish he never landed that, just to see how the second and third would have went. That’s just where he was just thinking of wrestling, thinking of wrestling, but when he separated with like 15 seconds to go, Ruffy should have tried to put it on him. Ruffy stayed against the fence.
“That was a statement. I’d still punch his head in, though. I think that showed holes in his game. His wrestling’s not as good as he thinks it is. His eye’s mashed up off one right hand. I would have liked to have seen how that fight would have went on because he couldn’t get Ruffy down, and over the past couple of years, Ruffy hasn’t shown great takedown defense.
“Everyone goes on like Arman’s got the best wrestling in the UFC, and he showed there that he hasn’t whatsoever. I wasn’t expecting him to knock him out, at all. Even if it was in the clinch with a short elbow.”
Despite their feud, Pimblett and Tsarukyan have yet to meet inside the octagon, and it seems like that still won’t happen any time soon given that Tsarukyan would appear to be next in line for the lightweight title. But Pimblett says looks can be deceiving, and Tsarukyan shouldn’t go counting his chickens just yet.
“With Arman, you could say the title is next,” Tsarukyan said. “With all the stuff coming out now with Ilia [Topuria] and Justin [Gaethje], it wouldn’t surprise me if they end up fighting and having a rematch. Ilia’s trying to say that he had stuff in his gloves, which he definitely never. The commission watches you get your hands wrapped. I think Ilia’s just being a sore loser. He’s being a little bitch about it.
“Obviously, Arman just put himself forward to be the No. 1 contender there, but at the same time, he did only beat rank 7. His last win before that was Dan Hooker, who was rank 6 and now about rank 13. He’s lost another two or three fights since then. We’ll see what happens.”
TOP STORIES
Legend. Sean Sharaf reacts to historic UFC 331 upset knockout over Gable Steveson: ‘I shocked the world.’
Reaction. Daniel Cormier, Joe Rogan criticize ‘ungrateful loser’ Gable Steveson for behavior after knockout loss at UFC 331.
Manager. Gable Steveson’s manager releases statement after shocking 12-second knockout loss at UFC 331.
Ducking. Arman Tsarukyan says Justin Gaethje is scared to fight him: ‘He’s trying to avoid me.’
Error. Dana White admits he ‘f*cked up’ Ciryl Gane announcement, reacts to Josh Hokit getting title shot.
Beef. Dana White insists no beef with Tom Aspinall, says Eddie Hearn is ‘f*cking drowning’ in boxing business.
Explanation. Charles Jourdain explains why he waved off his fight in UFC 331 loss to Marlon Vera.
Odds. Arman Tsarukyan opens as huge betting favorite over Justin Gaethje, Manel Kape favored over Joshua Van.
Gnarly. Gruesome photo of Alonzo Menifield’s UFC 331 thumb injury dropped.
VIDEO STEW
UFC 331 Post Show.
UFC 331 Post Fight Press Conference.
On to the Next One.
Every finish at UFC 331.
The full main event.
Chael Sonnen reacts to Gable Steveson’s loss.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
What a time.
Let’s see it.
I don’t know what this means.
Ultimatum.
He’s back.
Dan Ige.
Not sure where that’s from, but every single person involved in the rules says it’s not illegal, so maybe don’t be weird about it.
Just rude.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ciryl Gane (14-2, 1 NC) vs. Josh Hokit (10-0); UFC 334, Nov. 14
Kayla Harrison (19-1) vs. Amanda Nunes (23-5); UFC 334, Nov. 14
Caio Borralho (18-2) vs. Yousri Belgaroui (11-3); UFC 334, Nov. 14
Uros Medic (14-3) vs. Kevin Holland (29-15); UFC 334, Nov. 14
Nazim Sadykhov (11-3-1) vs. Jefferson Nascimento (13-1); UFC 334, Nov. 14
Adrian Yanez (18-6-1) vs. Juan Diaz (16-1-1); UFC 334, Nov. 14
Stephen Thompson (17-9-1) vs. Charles Radtke (12-5); UFC 334, Nov. 14
Drew Dober (29-15) vs. Chris Duncan (15-3); UFC 334, Nov. 14
Jim Miller (39-19) vs. Terrance McKinney (18-9); UFC 334, Nov. 14
Baisangur Susurkaev (12-0) vs. Donte Johnson (9-0); UFC 334, Nov. 14
Macy Chiasson (10-6) vs. Bia Mesquita (8-0); UFC 334, Nov. 14
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FINAL THOUGHTS
EXIT POLL
Well, is he?
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