Liverpool light-weight Paddy Pimblett took a shot at prime contender Arman Tsarukyan in a latest interview with MMA Junkie, dismissing rumors that he has been avoiding the Armenian fighter whereas declaring he’s keen to struggle anybody within the division.
“Folks say I am ignoring Armand, however I’ve by no means been supplied to struggle Armand,” Pimblett mentioned. “If I had been supplied to struggle Armand, I might have punched him within the head by now. He frustrates me. I feel he is an absolute helmet.”
Paddy Pimblett insults Arman Tsarukyan
The British time period “helmet” is slang for a silly or silly individual, and is derived from an anatomical reference much like calling somebody a dickhead. The insult marks the newest escalation within the rivalry between Pimblett and Tsarukyan, who presently holds the title of No. 1 contender within the light-weight division.
The feud between each fighters has intensified since Pimblett earned an interim title shot towards Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026 at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas. Tsarukyan, who’s ranked No. 1 within the division with 5 straight wins, expressed frustration at lacking out on that chance.
Arman Tsarukian controversy
“Everybody is aware of Paddy Pimblett is positioned as a champion as a result of that is his second,” Tsarukyan mentioned after his win over Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar in November. “They know that if I play him he’ll lose and that is going to decrease his star energy.”
UFC president Dana White acknowledged that Tsarukyan’s controversial actions influenced the choice. Throughout the pre-fight ceremonial weigh-in towards Hooker, Tsarukyan headbutted his opponent, forcing safety to intervene. In an earlier incident at UFC 300, Tsarukyan tried to punch a fan throughout a walkout, leading to a $25,000 high-quality and suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Fee.
“100%,” White advised Barstool Sports activities when requested if the headbutt was a think about Tsarukian’s suspension from the interim title struggle. “Quite a lot of issues had been thought of.”
Pimblett dealt straight with these incidents. “He should not be headbutting folks in the course of the weigh-in, proper? And punching followers strolling out,” the Liverpool native mentioned whereas defending his title win towards the primary contender.
Paddy Pimblett UFC 324
The interim light-weight title struggle at UFC 324 comes after present champion Ilya Topria introduced that she is not going to compete within the first quarter of 2026 attributable to private causes. The Georgian-Spanish fighter, who has knowledgeable file of 17-0, gained the light-weight title by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June 2025, after beforehand holding the featherweight championship.
Pimblett enters UFC 324 with an ideal 7-0 file within the UFC and on a nine-fight win streak. His most up-to-date win got here in April 2025, when he stopped former Bellator light-weight champion Michael Chandler with a third-round technical KO at UFC 314, transferring him into the highest 5 of the light-weight rankings.
“I’ve the longest profitable streak on this division and Justin Gaethje is a perennial contender and an absolute legend,” Pimblett defined in an interview with MMA Junkie. We’re not operating round punching followers strolling round or kicking athletes within the head throughout weigh-ins. I can perceive why we get it and others do not. ”
The 30-year-old British fighter expressed confidence in dealing with any challenger, together with Tsarukian, given the potential of a struggle with Gaethje. “Sure, I might struggle Armand,” Pimblett mentioned. “If Ilia cannot come again by June or July, he must be stripped. He is slowing down the expansion of the division. I will defend towards Armand, Max, Charles, whoever. I do not care.”
As for Topuria, Pimblett admitted that he stays assured however respects the champion’s skills. “As for Ilya, it is like destiny. It ought to have occurred as a result of every little thing occurred and nothing occurred. However now we simply hate one another. I respect him as a fighter – I feel he is an excellent fighter, he is quantity two pound-for-pound to me after Islam – However I need to beat him. I need to present everybody why now we have a division and that he’s too small to beat me.”
Tsarukyan continues to work exterior the Octagon as he waits for his subsequent alternative. He competed in skilled grappling occasions and gained a freestyle wrestling match at RAF 5 in January 2026, defeating former PFL champion Lance Palmer by technical fall. The Armenian fighter has indicated he’ll head to Las Vegas as a substitute for UFC 324 in case one of many foremost occasion rivals withdraws.
“It is empty,” Tsarukyan mentioned. “I am feeling nice. If the UFC calls me, I will be able to struggle.”
