Arman Tsarukyan says his next fight is a UFC lightweight title shot

Arman Tsarukyan says he has been told his UFC lightweight title fight will come at the beginning of next year, despite champion Justin Gaethje considering retirement and talk of a Gaethje-Ilia Topuria rematch.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Thu 22 Oct, 20:19 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Arman Tsarukyan says he has been assured that his next fight will be for the UFC lightweight title, and that he has been told it will take place at the “beginning of next year.” He said he has not been given a more specific date.

Tsarukyan's position had been in question. His knockout of Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 in September appeared to make him the next challenger, but lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is considering retirement, and there have been rumours of an immediate rematch between Gaethje and Ilia Topuria that would leave Tsarukyan without the shot.

Speaking ahead of his match with Dillon Danis at Real American Freestyle 14, Tsarukyan said he had been prepared to drop to featherweight. He said: “If they wouldn’t give me a title at 155, I would go down [to 145 pounds], but as I heard, I’m going to fight for the title next.” He added that he intends to stay at lightweight, which he regards as the perfect weight class for him, and that he wants to become the best lightweight in history and break every record in the division.

Tsarukyan was due to challenge Islam Makhachev for the title at UFC 311 last year but was pulled from the event the day before because of health issues. He is on a six-fight winning streak in the UFC.

He has built a following outside the octagon by competing regularly for Real American Freestyle and streaming, but said he wants to be busy in the UFC once he becomes champion. Tsarukyan said: “But I know when I get that belt, I want to defend as much as possible.”

In this story

Arman Tsarukyan Justin Gaethje Ilia Topuria Mauricio Ruffy Islam Makhachev