Arman Tsarukyan continues to take shots at Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett ahead of UFC 324.
When UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria announced that he’s taking personal time off, the promotion booked Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) for the interim title on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas, leaving No. 1 ranked Tsarukyan out of the picture.
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC), who’s fresh off winning the ACBJJ belt in a grappling match against Mehdi Baydulaev on Wednesday, addressed the media afterwards. He had a sarcastic response when asked about Gaethje vs. Pimblett.
“They are both punching bags,” Tsarukyan told Red Corner MMA. “The punching bags you should prepare for as hard as for a title fight because anything can happen in a fight, but I can see that they are not on my level. That is why I’m not fighting this time. If I were weaker, I would definitely be there fighting.”
Just like he did for the vacant lightweight title fight at UFC 317, Tsarukyan plans on being the backup for the interim title fight at UFC 324.
“If any of them gets injured, I will take the fight,” Tsarukyan said. “I’m going to stay in shape. The UFC didn’t announce the backup for this fight, but anything is possible. I will just keep training, stay in shape, and if they call me a week before or two-three weeks before, I will be ready.”
