Hold on to your hats, fight fans, because the drama is thicker than a protein shake at a UFC weigh-in! Arman Tsarukyan, the No. 1 ranked lightweight contender, has just dropped a truth bomb that could shake the foundations of UFC 324.

According to Tsarukyan, Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett's shot at interim gold isn't just luck—it's a meticulously crafted plan cooked up by the UFC themselves. Is Dana White playing chess while we're all playing checkers?

For those who missed it, Pimblett is slated to face off against fan-favorite Justin Gaethje for the interim 155lbs title at UFC 324 in Las Vegas on January 24th. It's a headliner that has the MMA world buzzing, but not everyone is buying the official story.

The interim belt situation arose after undisputed champion Ilia Topuria announced he'd be taking a break until 2026 due to personal reasons. But Tsarukyan isn't convinced, suggesting the UFC is using this as an opportunity to build Pimblett's star power.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Tsarukyan didn't mince words: "I think this is UFC game plan, it's not family issues." Ouch! Talk about a bold accusation.

Tsarukyan believes the UFC is strategically setting the stage for a massive showdown between Pimblett and Topuria down the line. The goal? To turn it into a spectacle rivaling the legendary Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov clash.

“They want to make Paddy Pimblett a star and to bring him to fight for the title with Topuria as a bigger name," Tsarukyan stated, adding, "And make it like a big fight. Kind of like Khabib [Nurmagomedov] vs Conor [McGregor]."

But even with a title belt, Tsarukyan doubts Pimblett vs. Topuria could ever reach the astronomical heights of Khabib vs. Conor. Harsh, but is he wrong?

Social media has been ablaze with fans expressing their disbelief that Tsarukyan wasn't chosen for the interim title fight. Many believe he's more deserving of the opportunity.

Despite the perceived snub, Tsarukyan seems to understand the business side of the sport: “It’s a business. At the end of the day, I have the same goal. Everybody knows that I will beat everybody and it’s just [a matter of] time.”

Meanwhile, Pimblett is brushing off the criticism and focusing on his upcoming battle with Gaethje. Can he silence the doubters and prove he belongs in the title picture?

Pimblett aims to become only the fourth Brit to hold a title in UFC history. No pressure, lad!

Addressing his critics, Pimblett fired back: “People are gonna say, ‘Oh, it’s only the interim’ and this and that. But I’m fighting for the world title."

He continued, "People said I’d never be ranked. People say I’d never do this, never do that. And the goalposts always get moved for me [all the time], it’s just normal."

Pimblett anticipates further criticism even if he defeats Gaethje: “Once I finish Gaethje, it’s gonna be, ‘Oh, he was 37, he was retiring anyway, he’s on his way out, he’s being handed title shots’. All this bulls**t.”

Whether Tsarukyan's conspiracy theory holds water remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure: the road to UFC 324 just got a whole lot more interesting.

Is the UFC pulling strings behind the scenes? Are they strategically building Pimblett into a global superstar? Or is this just sour grapes from a fighter who feels overlooked?

Only time will tell. But in the meantime, grab your popcorn and get ready for a wild ride.

And remember, in the world of UFC, anything is possible. Even a little bit of backstage drama.

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