Chael Sonnen recently expressed his thoughts on the situation involving Arman Tsarukyan, calling it a “weird purgatory” and urging the UFC to show forgiveness towards the talented lightweight fighter.
Tsarukyan currently holds the top spot in the UFC’s official lightweight rankings. Despite his impressive standing, he was notably left out of the title picture at 155 pounds, with Justin Gaethje set to face Paddy Pimblett in an interim title fight at UFC 324. The winner of this bout is expected to challenge Ilia Topuria for the undisputed lightweight title later in the year.
Many fans and experts believe that Tsarukyan should have been next in line for a title shot. However, it seems that the UFC has different plans for the division. Tsarukyan has faced his fair share of controversies with the promotion, including withdrawing from a title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 and getting into altercations both inside and outside the Octagon.
Most recently, Tsarukyan was involved in a heated incident with Dan Hooker during a faceoff for their UFC Qatar fight, which raised concerns about the main event bout. Despite these incidents, Sonnen believes that Tsarukyan has paid his dues and deserves a chance at redemption.
In an interview with The Schmo, Sonnen made a plea for forgiveness towards Tsarukyan, emphasizing the fighter’s commitment as a backup fighter and his willingness to step in at a moment’s notice. Sonnen called on the UFC and the MMA community to recognize Tsarukyan’s efforts and show him some leniency.
On the other hand, Tsarukyan himself has voiced his thoughts on the situation, suggesting that the UFC may be favoring Paddy Pimblett in the title picture due to the Liverpudlian’s popularity and marketability. Tsarukyan believes that the promotion is hesitant to book a fight between him and Pimblett as they may be hoping for Pimblett to emerge victorious and boost his star power.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Tsarukyan expressed his belief that the UFC is grooming Pimblett for a title shot, as they see him as a potential champion. He also hinted at the possibility of facing off against Gaethje in the future, suggesting that Gaethje may not have a long reign as champion due to the presence of fighters like Topuria in the division.
Overall, the situation involving Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC lightweight division remains complex and uncertain. As fans and experts continue to speculate on his future, it is clear that forgiveness and redemption could play a significant role in determining Tsarukyan’s path back to title contention.
