Arman Tsarukyan Willing to Be Backup Fighter for UFC 317, UFC 318 Main Events

[fortheo]

It's also a guy who shouldn't be in a number one contenders fight, based on his previous fight.

Offering him Gamrot instead of Gaethje, Paddy, or Hooker (who beat him) feels petty from the UFC.

Maybe Gaethje and Hooker weren't interested or otherwise unavailable.

But of course, he could've just said "sir, yes sir" and had it over with.

It would only be a number one contender fight for Arman in my opinion. Also, it's not like half the MMA world didn't think Gamrot beat hooker, and gamrot has a win over arman, so it's not like he's some bum opponent. I think it was a fine "stay busy/get back in peoples' good graces, remind everyone who you are" type fight for Arman to take. If he took it and won, people would be talking about him fighting the winner of Ilia/charles and his schedule would have lined up perfectly with it. Instead, since he hasn't gone and got a win like the UFC asked him to, we're still stuck with him needing to fight someone before most people and the UFC entertain the idea of him getting in a title fight again.

I'm just of the opinion that staying active is usually better than waiting for the perfect opportunity.

 

[mkess101]

It would only be a number one contender fight for Arman in my opinion. Also, it's not like half the MMA world didn't think Gamrot beat hooker, and gamrot has a win over arman, so it's not like he's some bum opponent. I think it was a fine "stay busy/get back in peoples' good graces, remind everyone who you are" type fight for Arman to take. If he took it and won, people would be talking about him fighting the winner of Ilia/charles and his schedule would have lined up perfectly with it. Instead, since he hasn't gone and got a win like the UFC asked him to, we're still stuck with him needing to fight someone before most people and the UFC entertain the idea of him getting in a title fight again.

I'm just of the opinion that staying active is usually better than waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Weird dynamic because most guys don't have the option financially of turning down many fights. One here or there if it really doesn't make sense, sure. But they need to earn and they make nothing if they don’t accept fights.

Arman's family has absolute "fuck you" money so the only leverage the UFC has is appealing to the competitor in him. The financial stuff means nothing. He'll be driving a RR Phantom either way.

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

To me this just sounds desperate

Obviously he is extremely impressive skill wise, but the way he has acted since pulling out has made me lose faith in his mentality… it’s a loooot easier to win when the UFC likes you

He should’ve taken that Gamrot fight, yes they wanted to punish him which really isn’t fair, but refusing the punishment fight and calling people out isn’t gonna help his relationship with the UFC

 

[JBJ was here]

Arman is willing to try to show he can cut weight without taking another fight in the hopes that he goes straight back to a title shot? Shocking.

 

[Orochimaru 大蛇丸]

I'm just of the opinion that staying active is usually better than waiting for the perfect opportunity.

You can do that if you’re Sean O’Malley and the UFC wants to give you opportunities

If you’re in the doghouse like he is, even if a perfect opportunity was available and it made sense the UFC wouldn’t give it to him

People can talk about what’s fair in an ideal world all day long, the UFC is gonna be the UFC… if you’re a fighter you have to play the game by their rules

 

[188912345]

It would only be a number one contender fight for Arman in my opinion. Also, it's not like half the MMA world didn't think Gamrot beat hooker, and gamrot has a win over arman, so it's not like he's some bum opponent.

I'm just of the opinion that staying active is usually better than waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against fighters being active.

I would just like to see some more consistency/fairness in the matchmaking.

Let's rewind it back to when Gamrot beat Arman, in a fight most people thought Arman did enough to win. Close fight, though.

After that fight, Arman had to fight backwards twice (Ismagulov and Joaquim Silva). Gamrot got a step up vs Dariush and lost. Arman won when he got his Dariush-test. Since then, Arman has also beaten Charles, who is now fighting for the title.

I think there are several things at play here, one being that Justin Gaethje has declared himself the number one contender due to beating Fiziev, making him not interested in facing Arman.

Hooker and Paddy also eyes the Gaethje-fight since he's an easier matchup than Arman.

Tldr; Arman isn't the only one looking for the "perfect matchup" here, and I think his reasons for saying no to Gamrot are just as valid as the reasons for saying yes.

He's just the one without leverage now due to the pullout, so there's more pressure on him to take a matchup that doesn't make sense looking at the rankings and how they historically schedule top fights (winner fights up, loser fights down).

 

[Aurelian]

It's also a guy who shouldn't be in a number one contenders fight, based on his previous fight.

Offering him Gamrot instead of Gaethje, Paddy, or Hooker (who beat him) feels petty from the UFC.

Maybe Gaethje and Hooker weren't interested or otherwise unavailable.

But of course, he could've just said "sir, yes sir" and had it over with.

Hooker got some home cooking from the judges. I wouldn't hold that fight too much against Gamrot. He's still in the mix.

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

​

Arman Tsarukyan is making himself available in case the Ultimate Fighting Championship needs him.


The promotion’s summer calender features prominent lightweight bouts atop both UFC 317 (Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira ) and UFC 318 (Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway). Tsarukyan, who hasn’t fought since April 2024, is willing to serve as a backup fighter for either headlining bout.

“I am not sure if that’s needed, but if they offer me that, I will definitely back it up,” Tsarukyan said of the UFC 317 featured bout following his victory over Patricky Freire in a grappling match. “I will be ready. I am flying back to the U.S. now and will be staying there in case anyone is injured and [if] the UFC asks me if I am ready, I will say yes.”

Tsarukyan defeated Oliveira at UFC 300 to become the lightweight division’s No. 1 contender. However, he lost his opportunity when he pulled out of a proposed booking against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 due to a back injury. With Makhachev vacating the belt, Topuria and Oliveira will vie for the vacant 155-pound strap during International Fight Week.

If he isn’t needed there, Tsarukyan is also ready to step up at UFC 318, where Poirier will make his final Octagon appearance in a rematch against Holloway in New Orleans on July 19. Tsarukyan knows his reputation might need some repairing after pulling out of UFC 311, and he’s willing to do wait it takes to improve that perception.

“Absolutely positive [I’d say yes],” Tsarukyan said. “I need to take chances now. I got injured and this injury got 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 to do.”

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Arman Tsarukyan Willing to Be Backup Fighter for UFC 317, UFC 318 Main Events

Arman Tsarukyan is making himself available in case the Ultimate Fighting Championship needs him.

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he has one of the funniest looking faces

 

[188912345]

Hooker got some home cooking from the judges. I wouldn't hold that fight too much against Gamrot. He's still in the mix.

Just as when Arman "lost" to Gamrot.
Then Arman had to fight down twice (Ismagulov and Silva).
Now Gamrot should fight up despite losing?

Gamrot also lost to Dariush, who Arman beat, and Arman also beat Charles, who is now fighting for the vacant title.

It seems like both Arman and Gamrot are tough matchups for the Gaethje/Hooker/Holloways of the division, so they would like to derail one of them.

 

[Aurelian]

Just as when Arman "lost" to Gamrot.
Then Arman had to fight down twice (Ismagulov and Silva).
Now Gamrot should fight up despite losing?

Gamrot also lost to Dariush, who Arman beat, and Arman also beat Charles, who is now fighting for the vacant title.

It seems like both Arman and Gamrot are tough matchups for the Gaethje/Hooker/Holloways of the division, so they would like to derail one of them.

Paddy is #8, Gamrot #7, and Hooker #6 so they're all pretty much in the same stratosphere in terms of position. Dustin is ahead of them and he's about to retire. You can take Islam out as well. Who does Arman want to fight, and how would that opponent be any better for him? He's not getting a title shot next.

 

[188912345]

Paddy is #8, Gamrot #7, and Hooker #6 so they're all pretty much in the same stratosphere in terms of position. Dustin is ahead of them and he's about to retire. You can take Islam out as well. Who does Arman want to fight, and how would that opponent be any better for him? He's not getting a title shot next.

Gaethje (#3) would make the most sense, but he's sitting on his Fiziev win, thinking that's enough for a titleshot.

Paddy would also make sense since he's on a long winstreak.

Hooker would also make more sense than Gamrot since he defeated Gamrot.

Problem seems to be that everyone in the top 5-10 wants to fight Gaethje, or another striker, while Gaethje wants a titleshot.

 

[Aurelian]

Gaethje (#3) would make the most sense, but he's sitting on his Fiziev win, thinking that's enough for a titleshot.

Paddy would also make sense since he's on a long winstreak.

Hooker would also make more sense than Gamrot since he defeated Gamrot.

Problem seems to be that everyone in the top 5-10 wants to fight Gaethje, or another striker, while Gaethje wants a titleshot.

I think UFC is going to wait and see what happens with Ilia vs Charles before planning a fight for Paddy. If Ilia wins I don't see how they don't make that fight. Hell maybe if Charles wins too.

Hooker or Gaethje are good fights for Arman, but still roughly in the same spot as Gamrot. It seems flaky Arman wouldn't want to try to avenge that fight. If he feels Gamrot is too much of a threat, that's a plus for Gamrot not a negative.

 

[TheNewGame]

Gamrot vs Arman rematch is the fight to make him get his titleshot back

 

[188912345]

I think UFC is going to wait and see what happens with Ilia vs Charles before planning a fight for Paddy. If Ilia wins I don't see how they don't make that fight. Hell maybe if Charles wins too.

Hooker or Gaethje are good fights for Arman, but still roughly in the same spot as Gamrot. It seems flaky Arman wouldn't want to try to avenge that fight. If he feels Gamrot is too much of a threat, that's a plus for Gamrot not a negative.

Makes sense, Ilia vs Paddy would be a big fight.

I think something like 15/22 media scorecards had Arman beating Gamrot.
Gamrot also lost when he got a step up in competition, whereas Arman kept winning (vs Dariush and Charles).

Arman had to fight down (twice!) when he lost a controversial decision, yet Gamrot gets to fight up after his controversial decision loss, purely because he's a tough matchup for Arman.

In the sense of fairness, I can definitely 100% see why Arman thinks it's ridiculous that they offer him Gamrot in this situation instead of any of the other available top guys.

He probably still thinks he can beat him, but in his mind he has already beaten him, and it's an undeserved opportunity for Gamrot.

If Gamrot had actually beaten Hooker, I would not agree with Arman rejecting the fight.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

I imagine he's in a tough spot right now. Top contender and yet his work environment is hostile because of his dumb pull out. Arman looks like he's taking the sit out route until an opportunity presents itself instead of fighting another contender in the meantime

 

[Aurelian]

Makes sense, Ilia vs Paddy would be a big fight.

I think something like 15/22 media scorecards had Arman beating Gamrot.
Gamrot also lost when he got a step up in competition, whereas Arman kept winning (vs Dariush and Charles).

Arman had to fight down (twice!) when he lost a controversial decision, yet Gamrot gets to fight up after his controversial decision loss, purely because he's a tough matchup for Arman.

In the sense of fairness, I can definitely 100% see why Arman thinks it's ridiculous that they offer him Gamrot in this situation instead of any of the other available top guys.

He probably still thinks he can beat him, but in his mind he has already beaten him, and it's an undeserved opportunity for Gamrot.

If Gamrot had actually beaten Hooker, I would not agree with Arman rejecting the fight.

Just to play devils advocate here, media scored Gamrot the fight over Hooker 9 to 8. It was very close as well. But we all know the real reason UFC wanted to make that fight was to punish Arman in the hopes that he loses. It appears like everyone is on the same page that Gamrot is one of the biggest threats to Arman in the division.

Arman seems to have a knack for shooting himself in the foot. He turned down the Islam fight multiple times, before finally accepting and pulling out last minute for whatever the real reason was. He's going to have to do something to get back in the UFC's good graces. Turning down his punishment fight and trying to be his own matchmaker perhaps isn't the best course of action.

 

[ArtardFiesta]

First of all it never seemed like this guy wanted to fight Islam. He passed up a title fight twice. Once citing it was short noticed, then the second one because he refused to do some bullying PR. Then he pulls out of his fight against islam. So I guess he had serious doubts about fighting islam.

5 months later from his pullout and he hasn't taken a fight. Everyone else in the division is fighting and this guy is either declining fights or acting like he has to wait it out for a title shot and will get the next shot after ilia/charles.

IMO because of his bs since being the number one contender (which he took by lnp charles) he needs 2 more fights before a title shot. The winner of paddy and justin should get the next TS.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

In some cases waiting on the sideline can reward you with title shots. See Colby. On the other hand you got Michael Chandler still begging Conor in 2025

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

Rich guy he can pick his spots he isn't desperate to make rent like most of the roster.

 

[Aurelian]

I'm pretty sure Islam stated that Arman turned the fight down more than twice. Arman didn't want to fight him unless the conditions were perfect for him. I think he was banking on the fact he's young and Islam is a few years older and will either retire or leave the division and he'd never actually have to fight him again.