Outside Source
While Tsarukyan has long been the top contender at lightweight, a title shot has eluded him thus far. “Ahalkalakets” was sidelined after withdrawing from a scheduled title fight against Islam Makhachev earlier this year. Newly-crowned champion Ilia Topuria threatened retirement if forced to defend his title against Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan believes he has finally sealed himself a title shot by submitting Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar last weekend. However, Topuria is making no secret of his preference for Pimblett as an opponent.
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Tsarukyan doesn’t consider Pimblett to be even remotely deserving of a title shot. Tsarukyan believes “The Baddy” can’t beat any of the top six contenders at lightweight. Tsarukyan would consider the Liverpudlian a good fighter if he beats Justin Gaethje. Tsarukyan was speaking his mind to Daniel Cormier, who seemed slightly surprised by the Russian’s thoughts on Pimblett. Tsarukyan then threatened to end his interview with Cormier if the former UFC double champ praised Pimblett.
‘He Sucks’
“Paddy cannot beat even [Charles] Oliveira, cannot beat even [Dan] Hooker, he cannot beat [Dustin] Poirier, he cannot beat [Justin] Gaethje, he cannot beat [Max] Holloway, he cannot beat me,” Tsarukyan said. “If he is gonna beat even Gaethje, I’m gonna say, ‘Yeah, this guy is good.’… He sucks. You think he’s good? If you are gonna say he is good, I’m gonna turn off this and go.”
While Pimblett (23-3) is undefeated in seven UFC outings, his most notable wins have come against Bobby Green and Michael Chandler. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan (23-3) has been through the trenches at lightweight and left behind the likes of Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush and Dan Hooker in his wake.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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