Hooker bemused by Pimblett's UFC ranking bump

Pimblett has finished five of his seven UFC opponents

Dan Hooker burst into laughter before asking "how?" when he was informed Paddy Pimblett has moved up to fifth in the UFC lightweight rankings.

New Zealand's Hooker, 35, was speaking to media before his bout against Arman Tsarukyan in Qatar in Saturday, when he was told about Pimblett's ranking by journalists.

Former champion Islam Makhachev has been removed from the lightweight rankings after winning the welterweight title last week, causing every fighter in the division to move up a spot.

Liverpool's Pimblett last fought in April when he stopped 11th-ranked Michael Chandler in the third round.

Pimblett, 30, has won all seven of his fights in the UFC, but has not beaten anyone currently ranked in the top 10 of the promotion's lightweight rankings.

"How? They [the UFC] must be giving him the title shot," said a bemused Hooker, who is ranked one spot below the Englishman.

"They must be cherry-picking him for the title shot. It is what it is."

Pimblett has been calling for a championship bout with Ilia Topuria, but it is unclear which direction the UFC will go.

The bout between sixth-ranked Hooker and first-ranked Tsarukyan could determine Topuria's next challenger.

Topuria already has knockout wins over second-ranked Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway, who is third, leaving fourth-placed Justin Gaethje as another likely title contender.

Pimblett, who is in Doha this week with team-mates Luke Riley and Shem Rock, who are making their UFC debuts in Qatar, is a third potential option.

Pimblett could cross paths with Topuria, who is in his brother Alexandre's corner for his fight against Bekzat Almakhan, in Doha.