Arman Tsarukyan doesn’t think Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett are on his level.
At UFC 314 on April 12, Paddy Pimblett will take on his toughest test thus far when he clashes with former UFC lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler.
Immediately after the fight was announced, Chandler sent a warning to Pimblett, claiming that he would take the frustrations of his last fight out on the Brit.
Despite ‘Iron’ Mike’s warning, Pimblett has stated that Chandler is just the first piece of his three-man hitlist plan, with ‘The Baddy’ hopeful of securing a fight against Ilia Topuria next.
Arman Tsarukyan labels Pimblett vs Chandler as ‘just a hype fight’
The lightweight division towards the top is in somewhat of a strange position with old contenders still taking up spots in the top five.
One of whom doesn’t fall into the ‘old’ bracket but does occupy rank one in the division, is Arman Tsarukyan.
‘Ahalkalakets’ missed out on his long-awaited title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 this past January when Tsarukyan pulled out of the fight just a day before.
Unfortunately for the 28-year-old, Dana White stated that he wouldn’t be given another title shot, which has left him wondering what his next step might be.
Whilst still on the sidelines, Tsarukyan has given his opinion on the upcoming fight between Chandler and Pimblett, potentially resparking an online feud with Chandler.
“I got, I don’t know (actually), they’re both not good so I don’t follow them, it’s like a 50/50 fight, it’s just a hype fight, I don’t watch their fights because they’re not on my level,” Tsarukyan told The Schmo.
“It’s top 5 fighters or real contenders fights (that I watch),” he continued.
Tsarukyan believes Ilia Topuria will get the next lightweight title shot
Despite Justin Gaethje having picked up an impressive win over Rafael Fiziev this past weekend at UFC 313, Tsarukyan believes Ilia Topuria will get the next lightweight title shot.
Topuria vacated this featherweight title recently as he continues to pursue a fight against Makhachev. Despite Makhachev’s team labeling Gaethje as the ‘ideal’ next opponent, Tsarukyan thinks the promotion will strike while the iron is hot.
“I think so, (Topuria will be next) and I’m open for everybody from the top five, I don’t want to fight someone from the top 10 because I’m the number one contender and I’ve got to fight for the title,” Tsarukyan stated.