Latest news with #Tsarukyan
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arman Tsarukyan open to UFC 317, 318 backup roles: 'I need to take chances now'
Arman Tsarukyan open to UFC 317, 318 backup roles: 'I need to take chances now' Arman Tsarukyan is ready to step in for the upcoming UFC lightweight pay-per-view headliners if needed. Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) withdrew from his title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January, which left him out of the next title picture. A new lightweight champion will be crowned when Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira battle for the vacant belt at UFC 317 on June 28. With only Justin Gaethje available from the top five, Tsarukyan is willing to serve as a backup for the title fight if he gets the call. "I am not sure if that's needed, but if they offer me that, I will definitely back it up," Tsarukyan said in a recent press conference (h/t Red Corner MMA). "Yes, I will be ready. I am flying back to the U.S. now and will be staying there so in case anyone is injured, and (if) the UFC asks me if I am ready, I will say yes." A month later, Max Holloway defends his BMF title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 on July 19. Tsarukyan will also be ready to be a replacement for that fight if necessary. "Absolutely, positive," Tsarukyan said on being the reserve for Holloway vs. Poirier. "I need to take chances now. I got injured, and this injury was misinterpreted. The doctor didn't let everybody know what really happened, so some people still think I ducked that fight. Now I just need to get back on track, so I'm going to do whatever the UFC tells (me)."
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Arman Tsarukyan Ready to Back Up Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira at UFC 317
Arman Tsarukyan Ready to Back Up Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With UFC 317 just weeks away, anticipation is hitting a boiling point. Headlined by the lightweight showdown between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, the event is set to cap off what's already shaping up to be one of the UFC's hottest months in recent memory. Fans have been counting down the days, and as the spotlight turns toward the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the stakes couldn't be higher. Behind the scenes, however, one top contender is making it clear: he's ready if called. Advertisement That contender is Arman Tsarukyan, who recently told Red Corner MMA that he's open to serving as a backup for UFC 317. Tsarukyan also mentioned he'd be willing to serve as a backup for Dustin Poirier's farewell fight against Max Holloway, showing his eagerness to stay close to any high-profile opportunity. When asked directly, he responded: 'Offer me and I will definitely back it up. Yes, I will be ready. I'm flying back to the US and will be staying there.' He continued: 'I need to take chances now. I got injured, and the injury was misinterpreted. Now I just need to get back on track, so I'm going to do whatever the UFC tells me to do.' The comments came shortly after Tsarukyan's grappling match victory over Patricky Pitbull on May 31 at Voleybol'naya Arena in Moscow, where he secured a fifth-round rear-naked choke submission. The performance reaffirmed his readiness and determination to stay active, even outside the octagon. Advertisement Tsarukyan's recent stretch was briefly derailed due to a back injury that forced him to withdraw from a scheduled title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. The withdrawal sparked speculation and criticism, with some questioning the legitimacy of the issue. The situation created confusion around his status, but the 28-year-old appears to have recovered and is determined to stay on track. UFC CEO Dana WhitePhoto by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC As UFC 317 approaches, the possibility of last-minute changes remains. Whether the main event goes off without a hitch or fate intervenes, Tsarukyan has made one thing clear: he won't be waiting on the sidelines. Time will tell if his readiness turns into reality. As of now, there has been no official confirmation that UFC President Dana White has reached out to Tsarukyan, but with the fighter staying ready and vocal, the opportunity could come at any moment. Related: Jon Jones Offers Cryptic Update on Heavyweight Title Unification Related: UFC Makes Announcement About Noche UFC 3 Card This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arman Tsarukyan open to UFC fight vs. 'big name' Paddy Pimblett this summer
Arman Tsarukyan open to UFC fight vs. 'big name' Paddy Pimblett this summer Arman Tsarukyan likes the idea of fighting Paddy Pimblett next but sooner rather than later. Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was left out of the title picture after the promotion opted to match up Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in the UFC 317 headliner on June 28 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. That's due to Tsarukyan's last-minute withdrawal from his title fight against then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January, where he pulled out from a back injury the day before the fight. A far-from-pleased Dana White said Tsarukyan will have to earn his way back to the title. But against whom? Shortly after suggesting Justin Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC), Tsarukyan says why not Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) if the fight can happen in summer. "He looked very good in his last fight," Tsarukyan told Red Corner MMA of Pimblett. "Now we can say he can beat top-10 fighters. He's No. 8 or something, and he's not going to fight very soon. Maybe he wants to fight at the end of this year, but I want to fight this summer and the end of this year. I'll take that (summer) because he has a big name, he just beat Michael Chandler, and he has a six or seven-(fight) win streak. He's never lost in the UFC. It makes sense to get back and to get more fans from the U.K." However, Tsarukyan may not be on Pimblett's radar. Not only is Pimblett targeting Gaethje next, he's looking at the October pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi, and Tsarukyan isn't willing to wait that long.
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arman Tsarukyan pitches UFC 317 fight that 'makes sense'
Arman Tsarukyan pitches UFC 317 fight that 'makes sense' Arman Tsarukyan is eyeing a top contender for UFC 317. Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was left out of the UFC lightweight title picture after withdrawing from his fight against Islam Makhachev in January. UFC CEO Dana White said after Tsarukyan pulled out just one day before the fight due to a back injury, he'll have to earn his way back to the No. 1 contender spot. There have been plenty of moving parts in the division ever since, with Makhachev relinquishing his lightweight title for a move up to welterweight. Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira will now battle for the vacant belt in the UFC 317 main event June 28, but where does that leave Tsarukyan? The 28-year-old sees Justin Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) as the best option. "I feel like it's supposed to be Gaethje," Tsarukyan said on the "JAXXON Podcast." "It all makes sense. Oliveira fighting with Ilia for the title, Gaethje has no fight, (Dustin) Poirier fighting with Max Holloway for the BMF title. Me and Justin don't have a fight, so it makes sense, International Fight Week, me vs. Gaethje. Who knows? If someone gets hurt, me or Gaethje can fight for the title." Tsarukyan wants to be present in case someone withdraws, just like he was forced to at UFC 311. Renato Moicano wound up replacing Tsarukyan against Makhachev at UFC 311 but was quickly submitted. "They put again (Beneil) Dariush and Moicano on that (UFC 317) card," Tsarukyan said. "I think they need someone like a bigger name and ranked fighter on that card. They told me about October, so maybe I'm going to fight in October. Until October I can fight one more time. It doesn't make sense to wait until October."
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan books ADXC 10 grappling match in May
UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan books ADXC 10 grappling match in May Arman Tsarukyan is remaining busy as he awaits his next UFC fight. Tsarukyan will compete against former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Freire in a catchweight grappling match to headline ADXC 10 on May 31 at Voleybol'naya Arena in Moscow, promotion officials announced Wednesday. Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) defeated Makasharip Zaynukov in a 175-pound grappling match this past week at Karate Combat 54 in Dubai. He recently revealed he turned down an offer to face a lower-ranked opponent for the upcoming UFC on ABC 9 headliner July 26 in Abu Dhabi, an offer he found disrespectful. The unexpected matchup likely came due to the 28-year-old withdrawing from his title fight vs. lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January. A far-from-pleased Dana White said Tsarukyan will have to re-earn his No. 1 contender spot, a condition Tsarukyan was OK with.
