Scripted? No. 1-ranked contender Arman Tsarukyan still ‘upset’ Paddy Pimblett got pulled into UFC 317 cage - ‘This is WWE’

Alexander Behunin specializes in running MMAmania.com's various social media accounts, as well as covering live UFC events, interviewing the sports biggest stars and personalities.

Scripted!

It has been four days since former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, nuked Charles Oliveira in the first round to claim Islam Makhachev’s vacated Lightweight title (watch highlights).

Topuria (cough, Joe Rogan) then ignited an impromptu firestorm, confronting long-time-rival, Paddy Pimblett, in the cage, teasing a blockbuster bad blood clash.

UFC CEO, Dana White, admitted the face-off wasn’t planned and definitely shouldn’t have happened, but it undeniably fueled hype for a “Baddy” vs. “El Matador” showdown.

Someone who also hated it was the official backup for UFC 317’s main event, No. 1-ranked Arman Tsarukyan.

“For the first 20, 30 minutes I was, of course, upset,” Tsarukyan told Daniel Cormier recently. “I said, ‘This is not a sport. This is WWE. They can do whatever they want to do — it was a Joe Rogan mistake, and he shouldn’t have called him into the Octagon.

“I was surprised,” he added. “But, when Dana said it shouldn’t be like that, I was like, ‘OK, hopefully he’s not fighting for the title.’”

There is no doubt that Tsarukyan is the most deserving fighter to challenge Topuria next for the Lightweight strap, especially because he had a title shot earlier this year but fumbled it with a back injury.

With his name being dragged through the mud since UFC 311, the 28-year-old is hopeful that he will get the next shot instead of Pimblett.

“I’ve been fighting everybody, had a good win streak against top fighters,” Tsarukyan said. “When I listened to Dana’s interview about Paddy, I said hopefully he’s not fighting for the title.

“They must put me in the title fight because I’m the No. 1 contender and I’m the most deserving fighter right now. After me, they can fight. But next, it’s me for sure.

“I know I can beat Topuria,” Tsarukyan concluded.

For what it’s worth, the bookies do not agree.

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