Paddy Pimblett disclosed that he was supporting Sean Strickland against Khamzat Chimaev for an unusual reason. The British fighter admitted that part of him hoped Chimaev would lose simply because Arman Tsarukyan was in Khamzat's corner. Pimblett stated, "A little part of me kind of hopes that Khamzat loses - just because Arman is in his corner." The comment suggests ongoing tension or rivalry between Pimblett and Tsarukyan. This reveals the complex relationships and allegiances within the UFC fighter community. Pimblett made these comments on his YouTube channel.
Paddy Pimblett has opened up about his allegiances during the Sean Strickland versus Khamzat Chimaev middleweight title fight, admitting on his YouTube channel that he found himself hoping Chimaev would come out on the losing end — not because of anything Chimaev did, but because of who was standing in his corner.
The sixth-ranked lightweight contender, 31 years old and fighting out of Liverpool's Next Generation MMA, made no secret of his feelings. Pimblett, who carries a 23-4 record and lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute with 52 percent accuracy, said that Arman Tsarukyan's presence in Chimaev's corner was enough to shift his loyalties. "A little part of me kind of hopes that Khamzat loses — just because Arman is in his corner," Pimblett said. The remark strongly implies an ongoing tension between Pimblett and Tsarukyan, though Pimblett stopped short of elaborating further on the nature of their relationship.
The fighter Pimblett backed, Sean Strickland, is the reigning middleweight champion at 35 years old. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, Strickland holds a 31-7 record and is known for extraordinary striking volume, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute. He stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach.
Chimaev, meanwhile, enters as the division's top-ranked contender and sits tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 32-year-old Borz carries a 15-1 record and boasts a striking accuracy of 60 percent alongside a ferocious grappling game, averaging 5.29 takedowns per fifteen minutes. He stands six-foot-two and fights out of Allstars Training Center.
Why it matters
- Pimblett's comments hint at a genuine personal rivalry with Tsarukyan, a fellow lightweight contender who could eventually stand between Pimblett and a title shot
- Both Pimblett and Tsarukyan occupy the top ten of a stacked lightweight division, making their relationship a storyline with real divisional consequences
- The candid remarks offer a rare glimpse into the alliance networks and personal tensions that shape fighter dynamics behind the scenes
