Paddy Pimblett today: Tsarukyan attack sharpens UFC 329 stakes

The mood around UFC 329 turned personal before Paddy Pimblett had even stepped into the Octagon. The Liverpool lightweight used media day to dismiss Arman Tsarukyan's title credentials, mocking his wrestling schedule and demanding that he return to UFC competition. Pimblett's words land at a pivotal moment: he faces Benoit Saint Denis on Saturday while trying to rebuild his own route to champion Justin Gaethje.

How Events Unfolded

Pimblett's argument is simple: ranking alone should not guarantee the next lightweight title shot. At UFC 329 media day, he pointed to Tsarukyan's limited recent MMA activity and criticised his focus on wrestling outside the promotion.

He needs to fight. He's had like one fight in three years and he beat an absolute bum. He needs to actually fight. Not go around in a singlet tickling people.

Tsarukyan's last UFC appearance came against Dan Hooker in November 2025. Since then, he has stayed active in grappling and wrestling, with one source recording an 8-0-1 run outside the Octagon. Pimblett does not see those results as a substitute for MMA competition.

That criticism also serves Pimblett's own interests. He is trying to re-enter the title conversation after losing a five-round decision to Gaethje in January, and a victory over Saint Denis would give him fresh momentum. The road to the UFC title remains crowded, so every contender's activity is part of the argument.

The Fine Print

Tsarukyan's position is more complicated than Pimblett's insults suggest. He has five consecutive UFC wins according to the supplied reports and was scheduled to fight for the lightweight championship at UFC 311 in January 2025. A back injury connected to a difficult weight cut led to his late withdrawal.

Since beating Hooker, Tsarukyan has competed regularly outside UFC rather than waiting completely idle. The problem is that those bouts do not change the official lightweight pecking order. In a division where several fighters are chasing the same champion, time away from the Octagon creates room for rivals to question whether a high ranking still equals the strongest current claim.

Octagon

The UFC's eight-sided competition cage.

RAF

Real American Freestyle, the wrestling promotion where Tsarukyan has recently competed.

Title eliminator

A fight intended to identify a leading challenger for a championship opportunity.

The Response

Pimblett went further in a separate interview, conceding that Tsarukyan may be the rightful top contender on paper before arguing that inactivity weakens the case. His blunt message was that Tsarukyan should choose between wrestling and returning to regular UFC competition.

Arman probably is the rightful number one contender, but he doesn't fight.

The British fighter also directed attention back to his own position. He believes beating Saint Denis will not automatically secure another title fight and has said he may need at least one additional victory. That makes Saturday's co-main event a rebuilding step rather than a guaranteed shortcut.

Putting It in Perspective

The dispute matters because Gaethje's championship has created an open race behind him. Pimblett survived all five rounds against Gaethje before the American later defeated Ilia Topuria for the undisputed belt. Pimblett now argues that Gaethje's rise strengthens the value of his own performance, even though the result remains a defeat.

For British fans, Pimblett's path is the immediate hook. A win over Saint Denis would keep one of the UK's most prominent UFC fighters near the front of a volatile lightweight race. A defeat would make the debate over Tsarukyan's inactivity far less relevant to Pimblett's own future.

Tsarukyan, meanwhile, faces the opposite problem. His wrestling activity shows he is competing, but Pimblett's challenge exposes the distinction between staying busy and advancing a UFC title claim. Until Tsarukyan returns to the Octagon, that gap gives active contenders an argument against him.

Looking Ahead

The next confirmed test belongs to Pimblett. He faces Benoit Saint Denis in the UFC 329 co-main event on Saturday, with a chance to rebound from the Gaethje loss and strengthen his case for another major lightweight fight.

Tsarukyan is scheduled to compete at an RAF event in Georgia on Saturday and then face Colby Covington in Milwaukee one week later. Neither contest is a UFC fight, so Pimblett's central criticism will remain unanswered inside the Octagon until Tsarukyan accepts another MMA bout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Paddy Pimblett criticise Arman Tsarukyan?

Pimblett says Tsarukyan has not fought often enough in the UFC to justify the next lightweight title shot. He specifically criticised Tsarukyan's focus on wrestling events outside the promotion.

Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting at UFC 329?

Pimblett faces Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event of UFC 329 on Saturday. He is trying to rebound from his January defeat to Justin Gaethje.

When did Arman Tsarukyan last fight in the UFC?

Tsarukyan last competed in the Octagon in November 2025, when he defeated Dan Hooker. He has since competed in wrestling and grappling events outside UFC.

Does Paddy Pimblett expect a title shot if he wins?

No. Pimblett has said a victory over Saint Denis will probably not be enough by itself and that he may need at least one more win before another championship opportunity.

Who is the UFC lightweight champion?

Justin Gaethje is the undisputed lightweight champion in the supplied reports. He defeated Pimblett in January and later beat Ilia Topuria for the title.