After Arman Tsarukyan Title Void, Dana White Reacts to Absolute Backlash Over Paddy Pimblett Vs. Justin Gaethje

Arman Tsarukyan is thriving but still has ways to go to get back in UFC Boss Dana White’s good books. The #1 UFC lightweight contender was recently bypassed and snubbed again when the UFC booked an interim title slot for Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett instead. The Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje fight isn’t the only one that has upset MMA fans recently.

Some things get anew, but some things don’t change. This weekend, at the UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 PPV event, Live from T-Mobile Arena, the card saw many new things. Former double champ Henry ‘Triple C’ Cejudo went out battling and swinging in his last fight. Brandon Moreno was stopped for the the first-ever instance, viciously, by Tatsuro Taira.

A freak injury and a 28-second win birthed the new Flyweight Champ in the form of Joshua Van, a first-ever fighter to hold gold, born after the 2000s. Meanwhile, Alexandre Pantoja and Merab Dvalishvili saw their dominant runs come to an end, highlighting the ever-changing nature of the game. But speaking of things staying the same, Arman Tsarukyan is still away from realising gold.

Many fans are shocked that Tsarukyan won’t be a part of the interim 155-pound title fight. The UFC CEO has also been criticised for scheduling a drag title rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes for UFC 325 on January 31. Dana White is adamant, though – he said at Saturday’s post-fight presser that the Armenian fan favourite knows what he needs to do to earn a title shot.

That’s the way it played out in the war room [at the time], …I wouldn’t say he’s the odd man out [here]; …You know, [Arman] he had an opportunity, and you guys know how that played out. I don’t give a sh*t what the number says (#1) — he’s gonna have to work his way back.

Dana White during Saturday’s UFC 323 backstage post-fight interviews

Justin Gaethje recently defended his position and has been calling his shots long before the UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett PPV lineup in Paradise was announced. The former UFC interim lightweight is a modest 3-2 in his last few outings and even saved face by accepting a fight in the milestone UFC 300 PPV card.

Gaethje also adjusted to a short-notice opponent change and defeated Rafael Fiziev after that. But #5-ranked Paddy Pimblett has no victories in the top 10 of the lightweight athletes’ listing. So that one makes a bit of odd UFC matchmaking.

Justin Gaethje will face Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title in Las Vegas on Jan. 24, Dana White announced. #UFC324 pic.twitter.com/H3YhOLxt4W

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 27, 2025

However, per the UFC CEO, Arman Tsarukyan had top contender status but pulled out of UFC 311. Tsarukyan successfully weighed in as championship backup for UFC 317 and recently cemented his top spot with a win at UFC Fight Night 265 – aka UFC Qatar. So, White stated, ‘Ahalkalakets’ knows what trajectory he’s on and what he has to do to get a title shot now.

To top it off, “The Baddy” in this situation, Pimblett, has a few additional ideas why UFC Matchmakers and the boss are straying from Tsarukyan altogether.

After beating Arman Tsarukyan to title shot, Paddy Pimblett makes his case as better option

23-3-0 MMA, right now, Arman Tsarukyan was dubbed the better option and deserving of a shot from the previous UFC lightweight king, Islam Makhachev and his team. Tsarukyan, very early on, also gave Makhachev quite the run when they first fought. He’s on a 5-fight winning streak and last lost in 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot.

Both Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett make for interesting options as well. Highlight is a bona fide legend of the game with a plethora of Fight Night performance bonuses. Akin to the pure entertainer, Pimblett is also interesting and the Liverpudlian is a massive fan draw. However, Pimblett’s wins over Michael Chandler and King Green did little to remove the ‘Dana White’ privilege blemish that he carries.

So – does this duo deserve their dues at UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett PPV? As far as Paddy Pimblett is concerned, Tsarukyan’s CV isn’t all that bloated either. Pimblett believes his record is inflated, pointing out to Full Send MMA that his victory over Beneil Dariush isn’t without blemish. His win over Charles Oliveira wasn’t either.

😳😳 Paddy Pimblett WENT OFF on Arman Tsarukyan and explains why he didn’t get a title shot:

“Dariush looks about 65. With a head of grey hair, he beat Dariush. He DIDN’T beat Charles Oliveira, a lot of people didn’t think he won that fight.

On his way out of the cage, he… pic.twitter.com/2GbKm0VAVr

— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) December 6, 2025

The win against Oliveira at UFC 300: Pereira vs. Hill, specifically, was contested by some who thought Oliveira had won. The main card fight was scored a split decision (29-28 | 28-29 | 28-29) with Do Bronx logging major control and submission attempts.

There was also an NSAC-imposed $25000 fine and suspension on Tsarukyan for punching a heckler en route to the octagon. Pimblett, a brand name and company ‘Yes Man’ in his own right, bills UFC litigation was (probably) not happy on having to pay a boatload of money for Tsarukyan.

These factors, coupled with the fact of him pulling out of UFC 311 at the worst possible moment, could add up to why Dana White thinks he needs to put in some more work.

ALSO READ: UFC Star Pleads With Dana White to Book Ilia Topuria Vs Justin Gaethje Next And ‘Just Give’ a Chance