Despite already being the No. 1 contender for Lightweight, Arman Tsarukyan is targeting the summer showdown with #8 ranked Paddy Pimblett.
The emperor is open to the battle with the popular British MMA phenom, and the feeling seems very mutual. The Emperor vs. Pinblett showdown could really happen in a massive matchup by the end of the summer.
Arman Tsarukyan is targeting the battle of Paddy Pimblett this summer
In a recent interview with Red corner MMA#1 UFC lightweight competitor Arman Tsarukyan revealed he is paying attention to his summer showdown with Paddy Pimblett.
Despite being ranked 8th in the 155 pound category, Pimblett seems to be the name of everyone’s lips now. This could depend on his star power and popularity, and British MMA fans will be wild for “The Baddy.”
Pimblett is fresh from behind an impressive stop victory over former UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler. He has his sights fixed on the next top five and next year’s belt, so the showdown with the #1 rank candidate makes perfect sense.
The Armenian-born Russian-based fighter himself revealed he is open to the match this summer. The reason for the Tsarkian could be due to the fact that Pimblett is a big name and is now a hot victory.
“He just beat Michael Chandler, he has a streak of six or seven fights, and he never loses in the UFC. I take it because he has a celebrity…it makes sense. To gain more fans from the UK.” The emperor was revealed.
Pimblett is clearly open to battle, and previously stated that he would fight anyone approaching UFC Gold. Ahman Zarkian is certainly the name that does that, so this summer’s fight could really happen.
Treat MMA fans are being made for the huge hit summer showdown with Tsarukyan vs Pimblett!
“The fight against Paddy makes sense. We need to gain more British fans”: @armanufc The emperor says he likes the idea that he will fight @paddythebaddy If pinblets happened this summer. pic.twitter.com/eklihbqegx
– Red Corner MMA (@redcorner_mma) May 22, 2025
Will the headline Tsarukyan vs Pimblett find UFC pay-per-view this summer?
Arman Tsarukyan vs Paddy Pimblett could happen this summer. However, it is unlikely that this fight will be the headliner for the UFC Pay-per-View event.
UFC 317 already has its main cards reordered, and in July UFC 318 is also locked. Doricus Duprises vs. UFC 319 in Chicago in August, and UFC 320 is likely to be in Mexico.
Tsarukyan vs Pimblett was co-headlined at UFC 319 in August, and of course there was a UFC middleweight title fight in the main event. This could be a real possibility, as the timeline makes sense for both Pinblet and the Emperor.
With the rest of the UFC 319 cards still not announced, Dana White could potentially add this charming lightweight matchup as the UFC 319 Co-Main event on August 19th.
Who likes to win the Arman Tsarukyan vs Paddy Pimblett battle?
Given the fact that Arman Tsarukyan ranks number one in Lightweight, it’s not surprising to learn that if he faces Paddy Pimblett this summer, he will become a favorite on the money line.
The fight is not yet close to signatures yet, but it’s a match that makes perfect sense.
UFC President Dana White didn’t tick his words when the emperor escaped from his final battle at UFC 311 with injuries. Instead of the next battle for Islam Makhachev, he has gone up to welterweight instead.
This brings the fighter doors open further down the 155 pound ranking, facing Armenia’s next next, including Paddy Pinblett.
With Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira officially announced at UFC 317, the battle between Pimblett and Tsarukyan will be able to see this summer who the next UFC lightweight title candidate will be in early 2026.
