Arman Tsarukyan, currently ranked as the number one lightweight contender in the world, has indicated his desire to compete at UFC 317.
Tsarukyan, who holds a record of 22-3, was originally slated to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight championship at UFC 311 in January. However, a back injury forced him to withdraw from the event just one day before it was scheduled.
Following Tsarukyan`s withdrawal, Renato Moicano stepped into the main event. UFC CEO Dana White subsequently confirmed that Tsarukyan would need another victory to earn a future opportunity to fight for the title.
The landscape of the lightweight division recently changed significantly. Earlier this week, Makhachev announced his intention to move up and challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight gold, vacating his lightweight belt. This development has led to Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, whom Tsarukyan defeated at UFC 300, being scheduled to fight for the now-vacant lightweight title at UFC 317.
After recently declining an offer from the UFC that he described as `disrespectful,` Tsarukyan appears to have a clear idea of who his next opponent will likely be and when the bout could take place.
Tsarukyan Believes a Fight with Justin Gaethje Makes Sense for UFC 317
Within the top five of the UFC lightweight rankings, Tsarukyan and former BMF Champion Justin Gaethje are currently the only contenders without scheduled fights.
Both fighters were prominently featured in title discussions earlier this year, and a win for either would likely put them back in line for another championship opportunity.
When asked about his next opponent on The Jaxxon Podcast, Tsarukyan stated, “I feel like it’s supposed to be Gaethje… It all makes sense. Oliveira is fighting for the title. Gaethje has no fight. Poirier is fighting with Max Holloway for the BMF title… Me and Justin don’t have a fight. So, it makes sense.”
Arman Tsarukyan Open to Serving as Backup for Topuria vs. Oliveira Title Fight
Tsarukyan mentioned that the UFC had initially proposed a fight for October, but the top-ranked contender expressed a preference to remain active and compete sooner rather than later.
With Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira set to fight for the vacant title on June 28th at UFC 317 (International Fight Week), Tsarukyan is not only open to facing Gaethje on the same card but is also willing to step in as a backup fighter for the main event should either Topuria or Oliveira withdraw.
Proposing his plan, Tsarukyan said, “International Fight Week, me versus Gaethje… Who knows if someone gets hurt, me or Gaethje can fight for the title. They put Dariush and Moicano on that card [referencing a previous event]. I think they need someone like a bigger name and ranked fighter on that card,” suggesting the potential benefit of having himself and Gaethje available as high-profile replacements for the UFC 317 headliner.
Keywords: Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, UFC, UFC 317
Percy Harlow