Joe Rogan has taken some sizeable flak for his role in an apparent “mistake” after the weekend’s UFC 317 headliner.
Calling the action in Las Vegas over the weekend, Rogan managed to jinx event headliner, Charles Oliveira in his headliner against Ilia Topuria.
Heaping praise for the Brazilian’s ability to absorb Topuria’s heaviest shots, just moments later, Oliveira was dropped with an emphatic knockout by the Spanish finisher.
But it’s his actions post-fight involving lightweight champion Topuria’s interview which have angered another top contender.
Arman Tsarukyan blasts Rogan for organizing Topuria’s face-off with Paddy Pimblett
Himself positioned as number one in the rankings, Tsarukyan was sat at Octagon-side awaiting his own moment to stake a claim for a showdown with unbeaten rival, Topuria.
But according to the Armenian, it was Rogan who invited the brash Pimblett into the cage to face-off with the newly-minted champion — effectively crashing his own proverbial wedding.
“Joe Rogan called him [Paddy Pimblett],” Arman Tsarukyan told Daniel Cormier on his YouTube channel. “It was a Joe Rogan mistake, and he shouldn’t even call his name and bring him to the Octagon. He called out to Paddy to come to the Octagon.
“I was surprised, but when Dana (White) said, ‘It shouldn’t be like that,’ I said, okay, hopefully he’s not fighting for the title.”
Himself missing out on a face-to-face exchange with Topuria, Tsarukyan is hopeful that when it comes to it, the matchmakers won’t overlook him in favor of Pimblett. Furthermore, he’s confident White won’t either.
Paddy Pimblett throws spanner in lightweight title picture with UFC 319 admission
Hoping to finally secure a grudge fight with Topuria, the surging Pimblett had initially set sights on a definitive title eliminator before the International Fight Week card.
But seizing the chance to play up a fight with Topuria, Pimblett seems to have since changed his tune.
To note, Pimblett has also ruled out a return at UFC 319 this summer amid links to a showdown with Justin Gaethje.
Not in the best of graces himself with the UFC, however, Tsarukyan has come under fire from White for his insistence on his own title shot.
Missing the year-start UFC 311 card due to a back injury, Tsarukyan was ruled out of a rematch with Islam Makhachev.
And it seems even making weight as an official backup to UFC 317 hasn’t swayed White’s mind when it comes to Tsarukyan’s claim to a championship fight.