UFC: Arman Tsarukyan, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ilya Topuria and more react to Buddy Pimblett’s loss to Justin Gaethje

Arman Tsarukyan says Buddy Pimblett has been “artificially elevated to the top of the rankings” and that his title win against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 was “completely undeserved.”

Liverpool’s Pimblett suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Gaethje in Las Vegas on Saturday as he missed out on the interim lightweight title in an action-packed bout.

Armenia’s Tsarukyan holds the No. 1 spot in the UFC’s lightweight rankings, but UFC president Dana White says he was overlooked for the title bout in favor of Pimblett and Gaethje.

Pimblett entered the fight at T-Mobile Arena ranked fifth in the world rankings, while American Gaethje was ranked fourth.

“This is what happens when you give talent chances and artificially raise the rating, a completely undeserved title for Buddy,” Tsarukyan wrote on X.

“Congratulations to Justin. He has shown a sincere heart, and unlike others, he will step up and do battle with me. All respect.”

Tsarukyan (29 years old) was scheduled to face former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev last January, but he withdrew from the fight one day before due to injury.

He has not been scheduled for a title fight since then by UFC matchmakers, despite a win over Dan Hooker in November to extend his winning streak to five.

The tentative bout between Pimblett and Gaethje has been set after champion Elia Topuria said he will not fight as early as 2026 while he deals with personal issues following his divorce.

After the match, Topuria told Pimblett that he lost the “biggest paycheck” of his life for failing to take the unification fight.

“Little sausage, the only thing you had to do was beat up a 37 year old man. You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life,” Topuria wrote on X.

“You’d be rich if you won. Justin, all I can say is congratulations…and I’d tell you to prepare, but you’re a failure no matter what.”