Arman Tsarukyan title shot blasted as undeserved by Paddy Pimblett

Arman Tsarukyan is finally in line for a UFC lightweight title shot against newly crowned champion Justin Gaethje: but Paddy Pimblett isn't having it.

Pimblett (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) ripped Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in a recent interview, calling him a "posh boy helmet" and a "f*cking idiot." He says beating Dan Hooker shouldn't earn anyone a title shot.

Pimblett unloaded on Tsarukyan during a conversation with Demetrious Johnson. He called Hooker a "proper bum" who "can't fight to save his life."

"He's beaten Dan Hooker in the past three years," Pimblett said. "He's a great athlete. He couldn't beat (Mateusz) Gamrot. Last year, he got offered that rematch and said no."

Pimblett argued that Tsarukyan has had everything handed to him. He said turning down a rematch with Gamrot was a "b*tch" move.

Tsarukyan submitted Hooker at UFC Fight Night 265 this past November. That's his only win in the last three years over a top-10 opponent, according to Pimblett.

"Imagine getting offered a rematch against someone who's beat you, and you said no," Pimblett said. "Arman would have been closer to a title shot beating Gamrot than beating Dan Hooker."

Pimblett also pointed out that Michael Chandler knocked Hooker out, and Chandler isn't even in the top 15 anymore.

Tsarukyan appears set to face Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC), who dethroned Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250. No date has been announced for that fight.

Pimblett, meanwhile, fights Benoit Saint Denis (17-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in the UFC 329 co-headliner on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It airs on Paramount+.

That fight is Pimblett's first since losing an interim title bout to Gaethje at UFC 324. A win could put him back in the title conversation.

But for now, Pimblett is focused on trash-talking Tsarukyan. He made it clear he doesn't respect the Armenian's path to a championship opportunity.