TLDR
- Paddy Pimblett tapped to a calf slicer in a BJJ tournament final before Christmas at the King of the Mat competition
- The UFC star released a video today explaining the submission loss as he prepares for UFC 324
- Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title on January 24 in Las Vegas
- Top contender Arman Tsarukyan was passed over for the title shot due to behavioral issues
- Tsarukyan claims the UFC is protecting Pimblett from facing him and plans to attend UFC 324 as an alternate
Sources: MMA Fighting | Sherdog | Cageside Press
Paddy Pimblett submitted to a calf slicer in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament final before Christmas, ending his unbeaten streak at the King of the Mat competition. The UFC lightweight star addressed the loss in a video released today as he prepares for his interim title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 on January 24.
The gym-based grappling contest took place in December and has drawn attention from fans questioning whether the submission loss reveals any vulnerabilities. Pimblett remains undefeated in the UFC with a 7-0 record but has now experienced a rare tap in a competitive grappling environment.
Title Fight Preparations Continue
Pimblett will face Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324 in Las Vegas next week. The title shot came after undisputed champion Ilia Topuria announced he would take time away from the octagon due to personal reasons.
Many expected top contender Arman Tsarukyan to receive the title opportunity instead. UFC President Dana White indicated that Tsarukyan’s behavioral issues, including headbutting Dan Hooker at ceremonial weigh-ins in November, played a role in the decision to pass him over.
Tsarukyan has been vocal about being left out of the title picture. The 29-year-old Armenian fighter believes the UFC is protecting Pimblett from facing him because he would be a difficult matchup for the Liverpudlian.
“I’m a nightmare for him, and he knows that if we’re gonna fight, he’s gonna lose,” Tsarukyan told MMA Junkie. “He’s gonna try not to fight me his whole life.”
Bitter Rivalry Intensifies
The feud between Pimblett and Tsarukyan has escalated in recent weeks. Pimblett told Tom Aspinall’s YouTube channel that he hopes Tsarukyan “breaks his neck” during his recent wrestling matches outside the UFC.
Tsarukyan competed in a freestyle wrestling match against Lance Palmer at RAF 5 this past weekend, winning by Technical Fall. He has stayed active with various grappling matches against opponents including Patricky Pitbull, Benson Henderson, and fellow UFC fighter Shara Magomedov.
Pimblett also criticized Tsarukyan’s competition record and questioned his grappling abilities. “If I got you in that guillotine, you are going unconscious,” Pimblett said, referring to Dan Hooker’s near-submission of Tsarukyan in their November fight.
Tsarukyan fired back after his wrestling win over Palmer. “He wants me to get hurt because I’m not going to fight him,” Tsarukyan said. “I hope Justin Gaethje knocks him out and sends him back to England.”
The Armenian contender believes the UFC gave Pimblett a favorable matchup in the aging Gaethje rather than putting him against a younger, more dangerous opponent. Tsarukyan was originally scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev for the undisputed title at UFC 311 but pulled out due to injury.
Tsarukyan plans to travel to Las Vegas for UFC 324 and weigh in as an alternate in case either Pimblett or Gaethje withdraws from the main event. He currently holds the number one ranking in the lightweight division.
