Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett ‘Reality TV’ Face-Off Ripped by UFC GOAT

Demetrious Johnson doubles down that the UFC is basic reality TV after Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett skips #1 contender.

Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett ‘Reality TV’ Face-Off Ripped by UFC GOAT

UFC GOAT slams ‘reality TV’ face-off between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett (Source: X)

The PPV main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas gave up a few details that fight fans were clamoring for. After his UFC 317 PPV headliner title win, Ilia Topuria’s skill ceiling at 155 pounds isn’t looking too gloom. It also came to be that Ilia Topuria versus Paddy Pimblett was the expected way to go as far as matchmakers and UFC execs are concerned.

Following the first-round finish (as promised) over Charles Oliveira, several UFC 155-pounders were up on the telecast jumbotron. UFC 317 cageside security and team entourages didn’t second-guess PPV commentator Joe Rogan when he urged Paddy Pimblett to be brought in for a fiery interaction that followed.

This was different when Alexander Volkanovski had told brass and media he’d enter at UFC 308 and had the blessing for entering the cage. Hence, even CEO Dana White ushered in the notion that “Baddy” vs. Ilia Topuria wasn’t the fight to make right off the bat, and perhaps that octagon face-off should not have been.

Yet another ex-UFC legend, Demetrious Johnson, doubled down that his perceptions and intrigue about UFC have changed over recent years, and this reality-TV gimmicky face-off should not have happened.

This is what I’m talking about guys, …This is why I say it’s a reality TV show. It’s like, obviously Arman Tsarukyan is the number one contender. He’s ranked number one… But, they’re forcing this fight with Paddy Pimblett vs Ilia Topuria just because it’s probably going to sell more but I think the rightful person who should be getting a next title shot at lightweight is Arman Tsarukyan.

Demetrious Johnson for his Official YT Channel (“MIGHTY” Podcast; @Mighty15x)

Johnson now does UFC fight analysis and fighter media interviews for his YouTube channel (@Mighty15x). During an In-Studio Live Media Interview of The Ariel Helwani Show, the retired star said it’s a system that has made him realize UFC is becoming more of a reality TV than a fight culture organization.

His latest comments come in light of #1 contender at 155 pounds, Arman Tsarukyan, being up on the telecast but left out of the grind. ‘DJ’, ex-UFC and ONE FC flyweight legend, has had his set of issues with White and assorted company.

This was all due to the PPV Compensatory payouts/PPV fighter points, sponsorship deals, and White’s monopoly over the fight business. This cliche system of making a fight that sells more, like Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett, feeds into that. However, Johnson supports Tsarukyan for the next shot. It appears top lightweight “Ahalkalakets” also voiced out his grudge directed more at Topuria apart from Pimblett.

Arman Tsarukyan reacts to Ilia Topuria “avoiding” him in favor of Paddy Pimblet face-off at UFC 317 PPV

Saturday’s pay-per-view headliner revealed former longtime lightweight ruler Islam Makhachev’s successor in the form of Topuria. Oliveira, who lost gold to the Dagestani, had similar plans, but “El Matador” played spoiler and legend-killer for a third time to bag a second divisional gold.

Top contender claims Ilia Topuria avoiding him for Paddy Pimblett
Top contender claims Ilia Topuria avoiding him for Paddy Pimblett (Source: X)

Ahead of UFC 317, White presented that the #1-ranked contender in the lightweight division won’t be getting his dues immediately, given that he pulled out the last time he was given a chance. Tsarukyan, who has welcomed ‘big-name’ Topuria before, had acclimated to it.

To that end, the Armenian grappler was even willing to let it be all about the Georgian, his skill ceiling, and his spectacular win that he saw at the T-Mobile fighters’ area cageside. But with him himself sitting ducks, the Armenian isn’t happy that the focus shifted to Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett for a PPV title scrap, after the UFC 317 main event.

It was never supposed to be Charles. I can finish Ilia, simple as that. And he knows it too. That’s why he’s avoiding the real #1 contender.

Arman Tsarukyan via X (@ArmanUfc)

Prior to White’s characterization of Tsarukyan’s presence in Las Vegas and hitting the scale on Friday as a mere step forward, the stage was different. “El Matador” asserted that the UFC 155-pound top contender must merit the opportunity by attaining another victory. However, with Paddy Pimblett all but leapfrogging, this was a massive snub for Tsarukyan, and he isn’t happy.

Also Read: