Arman Tsarukyan views himself as a UFC champion despite being far from securing the official title. The Armenian fighter, currently enjoying a winning streak and ranked number one in the lightweight division, was demoted by Dana White after pulling out of his scheduled title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311.
Undeterred by this setback, Tsarukyan has kept busy by signing up for three grappling matches while awaiting his next UFC fight. Recently, he secured a victory over Mehdi Vaidulaev in Moscow.
Although he claims the UFC lightweight championship is only a formality since Ilia Topuria currently holds the belt, a title defense is expected soon, prompting an interim title fight between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in January — a bout Tsarukyan will not participate in. Instead, he has upcoming grappling matches against Shara Magomedov and Lance Palmer.
Dana White, however, has indicated that Tsarukyan will not be fighting for the title anytime soon. After UFC 323, White expressed doubts about Tsarukyan’s readiness, stating that he must work his way back into contention despite his previous opportunity and significant effort.
Fan Take: This update is significant for fight fans because it highlights the complex journey fighters face beyond just winning matches, including setbacks and organizational decisions. Tsarukyan’s persistence and grappling engagements despite UFC delays show the evolving nature of fighter careers and the importance of adaptability in MMA.
