Arman Tsarukyan Reacts to Paddy Pimblett’s Brutal Loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324

It did not take long for Arman Tsarukyan to react to Paddy Pimblett’s brutal loss to Justin Gaethje.

One of the best lightweight fights in MMA history went down at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, atop the UFC 324 card—the first on the UFC’s new broadcast arrangement with Paramount+—and it saw Gaethje give Pimblett a ruthless beating that lasted 25 nasty minutes.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic, as Pimblett showed good strike variety and uppercuts and won—by consensus—the third round. However, his success was limited, particularly as he seemingly refused, or failed, to take his corner’s advice to take Gaethje to the ground.

As it stayed stand-up, it played into the Americans’ strengths, and Gaethje took home a unanimous decision and arguably the finest win of his veteran career.

For Tsarukyan, the nature of Gaethje’s resounding victory is a testament to the fact that the UFC’s matchmaking of Pimblett may have been light to this point, which shows he was incapable of competing effectively against an experienced fighter of the 37-year-old’s stature.

“That’s what happens when you’re gifted opportunities and pushed up the rankings artificially.”