If history has taught us anything, it’s that anything is possible in the UFC. By that, we mean major fights falling out mostly due to fighters pulling out for whatever reason which becomes a big hassle, especially during pay-per-views. Dana White has faced this issue multiple times, where he’s left scrambling for replacements after someone pulls out. Remember the Khabib vs. Tony 5x saga? And most recently, Arman Tsarukyan pulled out of a title fight against Islam Makhachev. However, for UFC 314, there seems to be a viable option as a replacement for the co-main event between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett.
The aforementioned lightweight clash is one for the ages, featuring two exciting fighters, and it’s the co-main event of the evening. Per Dana White and the UFC, there is no official back-up fighter announced yet. The lightweight division is indeed brimming with top talent, and anyone in the top 10 or top 15 could step up to the plate if the need arises. Still. The problem of either fighter not making the walk still looms on the horizon. But then we don’t have much to worry it seems because an uber-exciting fighter has offered to step in as a last-minute replacement. That man is Mauricio Ruffy.
The ‘Fighting Nerds’ lightweight has been on an absolute tear lately, remaining undefeated in the UFC since he made his debut last year. Despite having just three UFC fights under his belt, ‘One Shot’ feels ready for a step up in competition, and why won’t he? The Sao Paulo native absolutely destroyed King Green in his last outing, so he’s requested Dana White to set him up as the backup fighter for the Chander vs Pimblett clash.
“UFC, I’m ready to face Michael Chandler or Paddy Pimblett, if the fight falls through,” Mauricio Ruffy wrote on X. “I’m 100% physically, I’M READY! You have my number, just call.”
UFC, estou pronto para enfrentar Michael Chandler ou Paddy Pimblett, caso a luta caia! Estou 100% fisicamente, ESTOU PRONTO! Vocês têm meu número, basta ligar! @UFCBrasil @ufc @danawhite
— Mauricio Ruffy (@Ruffymma) March 14, 2025
While Mauricio Ruffy wants in on the Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett fight, a fellow lightweight appears to have no interest in watching that fight. In fact, the #1 lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan even claims that there is nothing hanging in the balance for any of the fighters of the UFC 314 co-main event.
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett is just a ‘hype fight’, claims Arman Tsarukyan
Being the number one contender in the lightweight division, Arman Tsarukyan is as close as it gets to the title. So much so, that he doesn’t see any other fight in the same league as what he’s pursuing. Why do we say that? Well, because, he made a pretty bold statement about Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett.
Given their standing in the division, ‘Akhalkalakets’ claims that he doesn’t rate the duo as credible contenders, and as such, he refrains from ‘following’ their UFC careers. While claiming that he’s on a higher echelon than Chandler and Pimblett, the Armenian star downplayed their upcoming fight, insinuating that Dana White has set that up just as a filler for the PPV.
“I got, I don’t know [actually], they’re both not good so I don’t follow them, it’s like a 50/50 fight, it’s just a hype fight, I don’t watch their fights because they’re not on my level,” Arman Tsarukyan told The Schmo. “It’s top 5 fighters or real contenders fights [that I watch].” Despite what the Armenian star has to say, fight fans are in for a treat. Just because you’re not fighting for a title, doesn’t mean you can’t raise your stock as a fighter. Besides, we’ve had one too many boring title fights in the UFC.
Regardless, given that it is a co-main event, Dana White might take a look at the possible options for the backup fighter before considering Mauricio Ruffy. But if Ruffy does end up stepping up, we know we’re in for one heck of a rollercoaster ride! Does Ruffy make the cut to feature in that spot on the UFC 314 card? Drop your comments below.
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