A leading UFC lightweight contender has pointed to Joe Rogan as the cause of the intense staredown between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett that concluded UFC 317. The incident unfolded immediately after Topuria’s impressive first-round knockout to claim the UFC Lightweight Championship.
Following the fight, Pimblett was unexpectedly invited into the Octagon for a post-fight confrontation with Topuria. The tense moment escalated when Topuria shoved Pimblett before security intervened. UFC President Dana White expressed displeasure with Pimblett being allowed inside the Octagon, sparking debate about how the situation was handled.
Contender Arman Tsarukyan Holds Joe Rogan Accountable
In a conversation with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, Arman Tsarukyan attributed responsibility for the incident to Joe Rogan for summoning Pimblett into the Octagon at an inappropriate time. Tsarukyan explained,
“It was a Joe Rogan mistake. Joe Rogan called him. It was a Joe Rogan mistake, and he shouldn’t have called him into the octagon,”
further adding,
“I was surprised, but when Dana said it shouldn’t be like that, I was like, ‘OK, hopefully he’s not fighting for the title.’”
Tsarukyan’s remarks reflect frustration about how post-fight traditions can sometimes lead to volatile moments, especially when emotions run high and protocols are not followed properly.
Past Incidents Highlight Similar Issues with Rogan
This is not the first time Rogan’s decisions during live UFC broadcasts have drawn criticism. At UFC 175, after Ronda Rousey quickly defeated Alexis Davis, Rogan unexpectedly asked Rousey about a possible title defense the following month. Dana White was angered by that question, admitting Rogan received the prompt from the production team rather than acting independently. This incident resembles the confusion around UFC 317, where Rogan’s call to bring Pimblett into the Octagon led to tension and officials having to intervene.
Future Lightweight Title Challenges Remain Uncertain
Following the staredown controversy, speculation about Topuria’s next challenger continues as White criticized not only the Pimblett incident but also fighters Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje, both of whom attended UFC 317. Pimblett’s possible title shot now seems even less likely, while the UFC remains silent on an official contender lineup. As emotions simmer and rankings evolve, the lightweight division faces uncertainty over who will earn the next chance at Topuria’s championship.