Joe Rogan blamed for botched face off between Ilia Topuria, Paddy Pimblett at UFC 317 — ‘This is WWE’

Jesse Holland is among the longest-tenured media professionals in the combat sports news space, covering MMA, professional wrestling and boxing on a full-time basis since early 2004.

The ill-timed face off between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett, which took place inside a crowded (and somewhat chaotic) Octagon after “El Matador” won the lightweight title at UFC 317 last weekend in Las Vegas, “should’ve never happened,” according to UFC CEO Dana White.

So how did “The Baddy” get inside the cage?

“It was a Joe Rogan mistake,” No. 2-ranked lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan, told Daniel Cormier. “Joe Rogan called him. It was a Joe Rogan mistake, and he shouldn’t even call his name and bring him to the Octagon. He called out Paddy to come to the Octagon. I was surprised, but when Dana said, ‘It shouldn’t be like that,’ I said, okay, hopefully he’s not fighting for the title.”

Tsarukyan, who blew his chance to fight for the 155-pound strap at UFC 311, was the official backup fighter for the UFC 317 main event; however, it appears the promotion will capitalize on the Topuria-Pimblett bad blood when it comes time for “El Matador’s” first title defense.

In addition, Tsarukyan (22-3) recently dropped to No. 2 in the latest UFC rankings update.

“For 20, 30 minutes I was, of course, upset, because I said, ‘This is not sport, this is WWE.’ They can do whatever they want to do,” Tsarukyan continued. “I’ve been fighting with everybody and had a good winning streak with top fighters. But then, when I listened to Dana’s interview about Paddy, I said, okay, hopefully he’s not fighting for the title. They must put me on the title because I’m No. 1 contender, most deserving fighter right now. After me, they can fight. But next it’s me, for sure.”

Perhaps matchmakers are trying to protect the champ?

“[Topuria] never fought with wrestlers like me, who know freestyle wrestling,” Tsarukyan said. “Bryce Mitchell, as the worst fighter at 145, he took him down and held him. He got his single-leg and even he took him down, and he couldn’t escape. He was pulling guard. If you’re good on the ground, you never pull guard. You’re trying to sweep or get up from there. I can tell he’s not high level.”

Hopefully the promotion can make an official announcement in the coming weeks.