Outside Source
Tsarukyan (23-3) has been denied a lightweight title shot despite being widely regarded as the most deserving contender. Tsarukyan was originally scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311 last year. However, Tsarukyan pulled out due to an injury a day before the fight, disappointing the UFC
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As Dana White promised, Tsarukyan was sidelined when Makhachev vacated his belt and moved up. Ilia Topuria defeated Charles Oliveira to win the vacant title while Tsarukyan weighed in as the backup. While Tsarukyan kept rallying for a title shot, Topuria seemed interested in fighting Paddy Pimblett. Tsarukyan thought a title shot would be undeniable when he finished Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar this past November. However, Tsarukyan was sidelined again when Topuria announced a short hiatus from action for personal reasons. “Ahalkalakets” has to keep waiting while Pimblett (23-3) will fight Justin Gaethje (26-5) for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. White claims Tsarukyan knows what’s going on and that he has to fight his way back to a title shot.
‘Weird Purgatory’
Sonnen believes Tsarukyan has been punished enough and wants him to be forgiven. Sonnen wants Tsarukyan to be rewarded for cutting weight and weighing in as the backup fighter for Topuria vs. Oliveira.
“Can we please forgive him?” Sonnen told The Schmo. “Whatever he did to get himself in this weird purgatory, can we also remember that he agreed to be a backup fighter? That he did a training camp, he flew out to Las Vegas. He went through the commission, he made weight. He was ready to go on in a moment’s notice. You get something for that. I want him to get something for that. I want him recognized. I forgive Arman Tsarukyan, and I want other people to forgive him.”
Chael Sonnen came forward in support of Arman Tsarukyan 🫡👏
“Can we please forgive him? Whatever he did to get himself in this weird purgatory, can we also remember that he agreed to be a backup fighter? He went through the commission and made weight. He was ready to go on in a… pic.twitter.com/PgFHMHsL7Q
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) January 13, 2026
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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