The UFC has been warned in opposition to reserving rising star Paddy Pimblett in opposition to Arman Tsarukyan subsequent.
Speak of a fight between Tsarukyan and Pimblett intensified in April after the latter’s newest victory in his quick climb up the light-weight ladder in MMA’s main promotion.
Pimblett dominated Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in Miami, stopping him by way of TKO in spherical three of their pay-per-view co-main occasion.
The outcome pushed ‘The Baddy’ as much as No. 8 within the rankings and has possible left him with a assured conflict in opposition to a top-five opponent subsequent outing.
However whereas a rising feud with high contender Tsarukyan would seem to have put that matchup because the main possibility, one legend of the game doesn’t assume the bout is sensible for the UFC.
- READ MORE: Islam Makhachev’s teammate makes shock retirement prediction ahead of his welterweight move
Chael Sonnen warns UFC in opposition to eliminating a title challenger with Arman Tsarukyan vs Paddy Pimblett reserving
Former middleweight and lightweight heavyweight UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen just lately reacted to the potential conflict between Tsarukyan and Pimblett throughout a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.
After Tsarukyan withdrew from UFC 311 on quick discover, costing him a title shot, the Armenian light-weight sees Pimblett as the person to get him again to the gold.
Sonnen, nonetheless, used an instance from his personal profession to elucidate why Dana White and the UFC needs to be in opposition to the matchup coming to fruition within the present circumstances.
“Tsarukyan wish to combat Paddy ‘The Baddy’. I gotta inform you, I’m in on that combat 5 other ways, however I’ve one downside with it.
“Paddy is on a meteoric rise…however that’s truly my downside” Sonnen continued. “You’ve got a man that may combat for a title and he can promote out an enviornment and he can win the title…that very same factor is true for Tsarukyan.
“You set them collectively — and I bumped into this downside myself…me versus Lyoto Machida…they squashed it, and the rationale they squashed it’s Dana [White] and Lorenzo [Fertitta] talked and stated, ‘Hey, you’ve got two guys that may each major occasion for titles. You set them collectively, you’re eliminating a contender.’
“I do really feel like we’re going through that proper now. Tsarukyan is simply too good to place with Paddy, that’s how I really feel. Paddy is simply too good to place with Tsarukyan, that’s how I really feel.”
- READ MORE: Nate Diaz sent an explicit message to Dana White after being accused of ducking Khabib Nurmagomedov
Arman Tsarukyan’s attention-grabbing motive for eager to combat Paddy Pimblett
After a disagreement on social media and through interviews set the stage for his or her rivalry, Tsarukyan just lately expanded on his sturdy want to share the cage with the charismatic Scouser.
Extra than simply his title ambitions at 155 kilos, ‘Akhalkalakets’ is trying to increase his fanbase, particularly in the case of the UK.
“Perhaps he needs to combat on the finish of this yr, however I wish to combat this summer season and the tip of this yr,” Tsarukyan stated to Pink Nook MMA.
“I’ll take that as a result of he has a giant identify, he simply beat Michael Chandler, and he has a six or seven [fight] win streak.
“He’s by no means misplaced within the UFC. It is sensible to get again and to get extra followers from the UK,” Tsarukyan added.
Whether or not the UFC will grant Tsarukyan his want and put the combat collectively or agree with Sonnen’s evaluation stays to be seen.
