Paddy Pimblett entered the octagon at UFC 317 to face off with newly-crowned light-weight champion Ilia Topuria moments after the Spanish star demolished Charles Oliveira in Las Vegas, and MMA legend Demetrious Johnson isn’t a fan of that match-up.
Although UFC CEO Dana White stated that face-off “shouldn’t have occurred”, not confirming that Pimblett is receiving the subsequent shot on the belt, Johnson feels that contemplating that transfer as a substitute of awarding No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan the chance is towards meritocracy.
“It must be him, Arman Tsarukyan,” Johnson stated on his YouTube channel. “That is why I say [UIFC] it’s a actuality TV present. It’s like, clearly Arman Tsarukyan is the primary contender. He’s ranked primary.”
Tsarukyan defeated Oliveira by way of break up choice in his most up-to-date look in April 2024 however was compelled out of a title struggle with Islam Makhachev hours earlier than the weigh-ins in January as a result of well being points. He was the backup fighter at UFC 317 and made weight this previous Friday, however White wouldn’t verify him as subsequent man in line.
“No matter you guys wanna go by the rankings,” Johnson stated, “however they’re drive on this struggle with Paddy Pimblett versus Ilia Topuria simply because it’s most likely gonna promote extra. However I believe the rightful one who must be getting the subsequent title shot at light-weight is Arman Tsarukyan.”
Johnson predicted that Topuria would beat Oliveira based mostly on their preventing kinds, and was impressed to see the previous featherweight champion clinch second belt with the third straight knockout over a legend, stopping “do Bronx” after shutting out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.
The long run appears shiny for Topuria, however Johnson doesn’t anticipate his profession to be so long as his current rivals’.
“Ilia goes to be a man that fights who fights three or 4 extra occasions and retires,” Johnson stated.
