Paddy Pimblett rips Arman Tsarukyan’s wrestling performance at UFC 331

Paddy Pimblett is not convinced by Arman Tsarukyan's dominant first-round finish of Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331, claiming the performance masked significant weaknesses that could be exploited at lightweight title level.

Tsarukyan (24-3) knocked out Ruffy (14-3) in the co-main event on September 19 in Los Angeles with a pair of elbows late in the opening round, earning Performance of the Night honors and praise from UFC President Dana White. However, Pimblett, speaking on his YouTube channel, argues the fight was more competitive than the result suggests.

According to Pimblett, Ruffy was winning the bout until the fight-ending elbow landed. The Brazilian opened with a powerful right hand that visibly damaged Tsarukyan early, and Tsarukyan struggled to land takedowns throughout the frame. Pimblett wished the fight had continued to see how Tsarukyan would have performed over five rounds without a quick finish.

"His wrestling isn't as good as he thinks it is," Pimblett said. "His eye's mashed up off that one right hand. I would have liked to see how that fight went on, 'cause he couldn't get Ruffy down." Pimblett also noted that Ruffy's takedown defense and early striking success exposed holes in the Armenian's game that a determined championship-level opponent might exploit further.

Pimblett himself, along with Tsarukyan and former champion Ilia Topuria, are competing for a title shot against Justin Gaethje. While Pimblett and Topuria have both lost to Gaethje and sought rematches, Tsarukyan's latest victory has positioned him as the official No. 1 contender.