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Paddy Pimblett Picks Arman Tsarukyan as Tougher Fight Over Ilia Topuria for One Important Reason

Originally posted on EssentiallySports
By Abhishek Kumar Das | Last updated Sep 24, 2025 12:40 PM ET

While a clash with Ilia Topuria would end their long-running rivalry, Paddy Pimblett has identified a different fighter as the more difficult challenge, and it is for one obvious reason. As title fight discussions heat up, ‘The Baddy’ has been open in breaking down the lightweight division, claiming that, despite Topuria’s impressive rise and decision to vacate his featherweight title for a new one, it is Arman Tsarukyan who offers the real threat.

While a one-on-one with ‘El Matador’ would be a widely anticipated resolution to their personal feud, Pimblett’s latest strategic analysis pointed to Tsarukyan as the more dangerous stylistic matchup. As speculation about a title shot grows, ‘The Baddy’ hasn’t held back in his assessment of the lightweight division.

Despite Ilia Topuria‘s amazing run to the title, which included sacrificing his featherweight belt to pursue a second one, Paddy Pimblett remains unimpressed. He has openly downplayed Topuria’s path to the championship, suggesting that the Spanish-Georgian’s journey was easier than it appears.

This point of view is not based solely on their personal feud; it comes from a more in-depth, objective examination of their individual fighting careers. “He had to beat Josh Emmett to get a title shot… Who did he beat? Ryan Hall, Josh Emmett, Bryce Mitchell… That was one of the easiest routes I’ve ever seen to a title shot.”

So, with this in mind, when asked to put aside personal rivalry and choose a tougher opponent between Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, Pimblett responded definitively. He believes Arman Tsarukyan would be a more difficult opponent for him. He said, “I think stylistically, Arman is the tougher fight than Ilia. He’s more of a proper lightweight. He’s got better grappling than Ilia.”

But that’s not all. ‘The Baddy’ further told Eldoberdan MMA, “So, Ilia is a better striker, yeah. But I just think, stylistically for me, styles make fights.” Well, this surely highlights Pimblett’s respect for Tsarukyan’s grappling prowess, which he believes poses a greater threat than Topuria’s striking.

While the public feud with ‘El Matador’ may garner more attention, Paddy Pimblett would rather like to face Arman Tsarukyan. However, that does not mean that this will be the fight that’ll be booked, as ‘Ahalkalakets’ too believes that for now, it is ‘El Matador’ who is destined to face ‘The Baddy.’

Arman Tsarukyan claims a title shot ahead of Paddy Pimblett

While Paddy Pimblett considers Arman Tsarukyan to be the more difficult stylistic challenge, the Russian challenger isn’t expecting to face Topuria for the title anytime soon. Tsarukyan, ranked No. 2 at lightweight, has been sidelined since a back injury forced him out of UFC 311, when he was scheduled to take on Islam Makhachev.

Meanwhile, Topuria has taken the vacant lightweight title, leaving Tsarukyan waiting in the wings. Tsarukyan accepts that the UFC may favor a grudge bout between Topuria and Pimblett. “No, Gaethje won’t fight Topuria,” he told Sport24. “The UFC could even put Topuria against a debutant. But I think it’s more likely to be Pimblett than Gaethje.”

Pimblett’s unbeaten record and rivalry with Topuria surely offer him an advantage in the promotion’s matchmaking. Despite the wait, Tsarukyan has remained active in grappling tournaments, including a no-gi battle against Benson Henderson. “No, he won’t want to fight me because he can make more money fighting Islam, and he has the chance to become the first-ever triple champion in history,” said Tsarukyan. Timing and circumstance, not just skill, will determine when he finally gets his chance at gold.

This article first appeared on EssentiallySports and was syndicated with permission.

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