Outside Source
Tsarukyan was scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title earlier this year. However, Tsarukyan pulled out due to an injury, much to the chagrin of Dana White. As White had promised, Tsarukyan was denied the next shot when Makhachev vacated the title and moved up to welterweight. Former featherweight champ Ilia Topuria won the vacant title against Charles Oliveira.
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Tsarukyan started rallying for a title shot against Topuria, who threatened to vacate his belt if forced to fight “Ahalkalakets” immediately. While Topuria expressed interest in fighting Paddy Pimblett, Justin Gaethje threatened retirement if denied the next title shot. The picture suddenly changed as Topuria recently announced that he is taking a short hiatus for personal reasons. While an interim title fight has been made, Tsarukyan is sidelined yet again. Pimblett and Gaethje will now fight for the interim belt at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas.
It Can’t End That Way
White further says that Tsarukyan still has work left to do to earn another title shot. The UFC head honcho reiterated his disappointment with Tsarukyan for pulling out of a scheduled title shot. White also says that Tsarukyan is aware of the full picture.
“I wouldn’t say he is the odd man out, he had an opportunity and you guys know how that played out,” White said at the UFC 323 post-fight press conference. “He’s gonna have to work his way back. I don’t give a s—t what the number says. He’s gonna have to work his way back. Just too much goes into this for those type of things to happen… You can’t get the opportunity and it can’t end that way… He knows what’s going on. I don’t give a s—t what everybody else does.”
Dana still thinks Arman has to work his way back to a title after the Dan Hooker fight😳👀
“I wouldn’t say he is the odd man out, he had an opportunity and you guys know how that played out,”
“He’s got to work his way back to a title shot.”
Via: @ufc pic.twitter.com/qypRsyvRPG
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) December 7, 2025
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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