Paddy Pimblett: 'No respect' for Arman Tsarukyan, Ilia Topuria beef is different

Paddy Pimblett has clarified his approach to rivals in the lightweight division, distinguishing between fighters he respects and those he doesn't.

The British striker expressed admiration for elite competitors like Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway, saying he wouldn't direct harsh trash talk toward them because he genuinely respects their abilities and character. However, Pimblett reserves his most venomous rhetoric for Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan.

"If I fight Ilia or Arman, I'm gonna absolutely rinse their lives. I'm gonna absolutely terrorize them," Pimblett said. "But if I fight Max Holloway or Charles Oliveira, I wouldn't, because I respect them and I like them."

Pimblett's beef with Topuria runs deeper—the two have developed a bitter rivalry away from the Octagon over years. "I respect Ilia, but we've had beef for years," Pimblett explained. "I think he's a little helmet. I'd love to fight him and give him shit." His disdain for Tsarukyan, however, lacks even that grudging respect. "Arman Tsarukyan, I've got no respect for at all. He's just a rich kid whose daddy's a millionaire."

Pimblett returned to the win column in July with a quick submission victory over Benoit St. Denis at UFC 329. Tsarukyan is set to face Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on September 19, while Topuria recovers from his first career loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.