Scripted!
It has been four days since former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight Ilia Topuria nuked Charles Oliveira in the first round to claim the UFC Lightweight title (watch highlights), then ignited an impromptu firestorm by confronting rival Paddy Pimblett in the cage, teasing a blockbuster clash.
UFC CEO Dana White admitted the face-off wasn’t planned and shouldn’t have happened, but it undeniably fueled hype for a “Baddy” vs. “El Matador” showdown.
Someone who hated it was the official backup for UFC 317’s main event, No. 1 ranked Arman Tsarukyan.
This is not a sport. This is WWE. They can do whatever they want to do…It was a Joe Rogan mistake, and he shouldn’t have called him into the octagon. I was surprised, but when Dana said it shouldn’t be like that, I was like, ‘OK, hopefully he’s not fighting for the title.’”
most deserving fighter to challenge Topuria next for the Lightweight strap, especially because he had a title shot earlier this year but fumbled it with a back injury.
With his name being dragged through the mud since UFC 311, the 28-year-old is hopeful that he will get the shot instead of Pimblett.
I know I can beat Topuria,” Tsarukyan concluded.
