Arman Tsarukyan reveals he turned down 'disrespectful' UFC Abu Dhabi headliner in July
Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who defeated Makasharip Zaynukov in a 175-pound grappling match Friday at Karate Combat 54 in Dubai, revealed that the promotion tried to match him up with a lower-ranked opponent for the upcoming UFC on ABC 9 headliner July 26 in Abu Dhabi.
The 28-year-old withdrew from his title fight vs. lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January, and Dana White said he'll have to compete one more time before regaining his No. 1 contender spot. Tsarukyan was OK with that condition, but expected a top-ranked opponent.
"(The UFC) offered me a fight in Abu Dhabi in July, main event, but I turned it down because they offered me an opponent I didn't want to fight," Tsarukyan told Sport24 (h/t Red Corner MMA). "He is below me in the rankings, so I didn't see any reason to fight him. In MMA, I see no reason to fight just for money.
"I need to fight a top-five or top-six opponent at the very least to make sure my next fight will be for the title. I am the No. 1 contender. Why should I give such a gift to a guy who's ranked No. 10? Nobody did that for me when I made it to the top 10. I fought top nine, top eight, top seven, top five, top four before I became No. 1. I don't want to put my spot on the line for free."
While Tsarukyan didn't reveal who the fight offer was against, he admits he wasn't happy with the UFC's matchmaking.
"It's the UFC who made me angry when they offered me that kind of an opponent," Tsarukyan said. "I would say it was disrespectful to me from their side to offer me that. I deserve better. I am the No. 1 contender. I am not saying they should give me the title shot – just give me a contender fight. If they offered me a top-five opponent, OK – somebody on a winning streak, at least. The one they offered me is on a losing streak. They could have given me (Dan) Hooker. The guy has won a few fights in a row."
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