Silver Spoon Tsarukyan Sharted Title Shot

Paddy Pimblett might just be the future of the Lightweight division.

The English talent is just a few more days from the biggest test of his career, a five-round war opposite former title challenger Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314, scheduled for Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. If victorious, Pimblett will burst into the Top 10 (if not Top Five!) on the strength of a seven-fight UFC win streak at just 30 years of age.

“The Baddy” wouldn’t just have momentum on his side but youth as well. Most of the Lightweight elite is older and close to retirement. Think of the most established 155-pound contenders like Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Chandler — they’re all in their late 30s and generally are a lot closer to the end of their careers then the start.

There’s one big exception: 28-year-old standout Arman Tsarukyan, who was supposed to fight current strap-hanger Islam Makhachev back at UFC 311 before withdrawing at the literal last second due to a back injury. Pimblett, however, is deeply unimpressed by Tsarukyan’s wealthy upbringing and recent pullout, seemingly unworried about the younger man’s longterm contender potential.

Full Send Podcast (via SportsKeeda). “He’s just a little posh boy who’s had everything handed to him on a silver platter by his dad … No [he didn’t get injured], he’s a little b—ch a—. That’s what you are, Arman, little b—ch boy.”

He continued, “Dana shot him down in that interview … Because he got asked is Arman still number one and he was like ‘no, he’s going to have to go back to the drawing board.’ … He decided he’s not going to fight so basically, Arman, you s—t your pants. You farted and followed through and had s—t coming down your leg.”

With a win over Chandler at UFC 314, Pimblett believes he’s just one more 2025 win away from a title shot. Accusing the recent contender of pooping his own pants is one way to start up matchmaking discussions, so don’t be surprised if Pimblett wants Tsarukyan as his next bout after “Iron Mike.”

Of course, his bad blood with Ilia Topuria remains an evergreen option too, particularly if “La Leyenda” captures Lightweight gold.

LIVE! Watch UFC 314 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

FEATHERWEIGHT MADNESS! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., March 8, 2025, with a high-stakes clash between 205-pound kingpin, Alex Pereira, defending his Light Heavyweight crown against formidable No. 1-ranked contender, Magomed Ankalaev, in the five-round main event. In UFC 313’s electrifying co-headliner from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lightweight fan-favorite and former interim champion, Justin Gaethje, will rematch the dynamic Rafael Fiziev in a three-round rematch, stepping in on short notice after Dan Hooker’s withdrawal due to injury. UFC 313 will also feature a hard-hitting Heavyweight battle between Curtis Blaydes and promotional newcomer, Rizvan Kuniev, alongside a Lightweight showdown with Jalin Turner facing Ignacio Bahamondes, and so much more! UFC 313’s start time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).