Top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan correctly forecasted how Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett would play out at UFC 324 weeks before the fight.

UFC fan favorite Paddy Pimblett suffered his first setback inside the Octagon last weekend at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. In a back-and-forth instant classic, Justin Gaethje reclaimed the UFC interim lightweight title by outpointing Pimblett by unanimous decision in the main event.

While Pimblett had some impressive moments against Gaethje early on, Gaethje showed off his experience and grit, leaving Pimblett a bloody mess after five rounds. It was Pimblett’s first UFC defeat as he fell short of winning a promotional title to cap off his remarkable run in the lightweight division.

Arman Tsarukyan watched cageside as Gaethje clinched a likely showdown with Ilia Topuria later this year. As Tsarukyan continues to keep an eye on the division amidst another stalled title shot, it’s important to give Tsarukyan credit for correctly predicting how Gaethje would beat Pimblett at UFC 324.

Arman Tsarukyan predicted Paddy Pimblett’s downfall at UFC 324

In a pre-UFC 324 interview with Daniel Cormier, Tsarukyan predicted the UFC 324 main event outcome almost perfectly.

“I believe Justin Gaethje will win. Paddy is just tough, not technical,” Tsarukyan predicted.

“He’s wild, but Gaethje, if he is in good shape, he’s going to be calm the first two rounds, and he knows he has a lot of experience. He beat [Rafael] Fiziev two times, how? First round, he let him do a lot of things and kick him but second round he started.

And he even knew the result, which was the first time ever that the American went the distance in a five-round fight. “The same is going to be here,” Tsarukyan continued. “And I think Justin Gaethje is going to beat him by decision.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

Tsarukyan is widely regarded as the top lightweight contender, despite a brewing feud with UFC CEO Dana White and another delayed title shot. He most recently defeated Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar last year, extending his ongoing win streak.

As Gaethje prepares for a likely showdown with Topuria, a matchup between Tsarukyan and Pimblett for the No. 1 contender spot could make a lot of sense for both sides.