Arman Tsarukyan isn’t buying into the hype surrounding Justin Gaethje’s title push. The surging lightweight contender made it clear he doesn’t think “The Highlight” has done enough to earn a shot at the UFC lightweight crown.
“Of course I want Islam [Makhachev], but right now, it makes sense to fight with Gaethje, because he just beat the No. 11 or so [Rafael] Fiziev,” Tsarukyan said on Chuck Liddell’s Out Cold Show. “He doesn’t deserve title fight. That’s 100 percent, because he just lost [to Max] Holloway. Beat, on short notice, Fiziev. Fiziev knew about the fight five days, and he won, barely, a decision. Now he’s talking about title fight. It’s not fair. I think he’s got to beat me to deserve to fight for the title.”
Arman Tsarukyan has no interest in playing politics or negotiating with public pressure. For him, rankings and momentum matter and he doesn’t see those things aligning for Gaethje.
Gaethje had momentum last year and seemed next in line for Islam Makhachev, but instead defended his symbolic “BMF” title against Max Holloway at UFC 300. He got knocked out cold. Afterward, he bounced back with a decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313, but in Tsarukyan’s eyes, that’s not enough to justify a championship shot.
While Gaethje has threatened retirement if he doesn’t get a title opportunity, UFC CEO Dana White didn’t seem moved. He acknowledged Gaethje’s legacy but warned against entitlement. That aligns with Tsarukyan’s sentiment, who believes merit should lead the title conversation.
Tsarukyan himself hasn’t had the smoothest run with the UFC brass. He was supposed to face Makhachev for the belt at UFC 311, but he pulled out just hours before weigh-ins. That decision put him in the UFC’s doghouse, and while he later served as the backup for UFC 317, the promotion hasn’t guaranteed him a shot at the belt anytime soon.
Following UFC 317, Ilia Topuria captured the vacant lightweight title with a devastating first-round knockout over Charles Oliveira. In the aftermath, fans speculated who would be next for “El Matador.” Paddy Pimblett’s faceoff with Topuria in the cage hinted at a future matchup, but Tsarukyan isn’t backing down from his own case.
“They offered me a fight. I said no because I want to fight ranked fighter from top 5,” Tsarukyan said. “I’m in the position, I’m not fighting for the money right now. I just want to be a champion. Now my goal is to be a champion, that’s why I’m not taking a fight I will just beat [someone]. I know I can beat everybody. Right now, I want to pick a good fight for me and get back to the title fight.”
Despite setbacks, Arman Tsarukyan remains one of the most dangerous names at lightweight. The No. 2-ranked contender is moving with intention. Whether it’s Gaethje, Makhachev, or Topuria, Tsarukyan plans to be ready. Util then, he refuses to watch someone leapfrog the line based on popularity or legacy.
