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Somehow, Paddy Pimblett has got himself a shot at interim UFC gold despite his lack of top-10-ranked wins. He clashes against veteran Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at the UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett PPV lineup in Paradise on January 24.
It seemed like his old and long rivalry with UFC 155-pound king Ilia Topuria would grant him a gradual opportunity. But Topuria has sought out due to personal problems and even blessed this UFC 324 interim title matchup. However, even with that shortcut getting voided out, ‘The Baddy’ has remained in the top. One former champ is calling foul on the setup.
I think they’re trying to do anything they can to put little Paddy [to put him] in this title situation [now]; ….I’m annoyed with fighters that think the interim title means anything. See guys like Justin Gaethje, and he knows it. He knows that none of that sh*t really means much to him — because he wants to be the real champion.
Luke Rockhold to Denis Shkuratov for the ‘Submission Radio’ Show for SBNation Network (🎥: @SubmissionRadio on YT)
Rockhold feels the UFC brass is doing almost “anything they can to put” ‘little Paddy’ to be a champ, as he has quite the UK fanbase following and is quite the draw. Even with the UFC boss Dana White and others defending the pairing, this matchup has received serious backlash.
The Scouser last defeated Michael Chandler back in April to earn his crack at the top 10 in the Athlete Listings. However, he snuck into the top #5 without fighting again as contenders ahead of him took losses throughout the year. He made an automatic stride and now walks the title path.
This is further soured by the fact that #1 Lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has been in a title void ever since UFC 311. Former middleweight champ Rockhold, like many others, considers the Armenian lightweight fighter as the better consideration for this title fight.
Luke Rockhold considers Arman Tsarukyan rightful title contender
Despite seemingly having no shot at the title, Arman Tsarukyan already considers himself top of the order and (almost) UFC champion. Currently holding the #1 spot in the lightweight rankings, the Armenian is on a winning streak. However, after withdrawing from his UFC 311 PPV title fight weigh-ins with then-champ Islam Makhachev, the bossman forced him down the pecking order.
Tsarukyan next weighed in as the championship backup for the UFC 317 PPV card, but Paddy Pimblett stole the show with an in-cage confrontation. The Armenian then extended his streak with a win at UFC Fight Night 265 – aka UFC Qatar, and many considered him a natural choice. But the reality of the matter is that he is less privileged than Baddy on the title matter and still has some ways to go. Rockhold considers the number one contender far more active and deserving.
Look what he’s [Arman] doing in grappling right now and how he’s just destroying these other guys – That’s not easy. Then how he translates that into fighting? He is a problem for everybody right now.
Luke Rockhold further said
Away from the UFC lightweight title at UFC 324, he recently submitted Mehdi Baydulaev in ACBJJ. Later, he billed that his prowess speaks for itself and he’s No.1 for a reason. There are talks of him facing Shara Magomedov at Hype FC next.
ALSO READ: UFC Star Pleads With Dana White to Book Ilia Topuria Vs Justin Gaethje Next And ‘Just Give’ a Chance
