Is it time for Dana White to let bygones be bygones?
It’s protected to say that Arman Tsarukyan isn’t among the many UFC president’s favorite fighters after quite a lot of incidents lately.
The UFC has been receiving heavy backlash for not giving Tsarukyan a title shot at UFC 324 and as an alternative selecting Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje to compete for an interim lightweight belt.
Tsarukyan seemingly dented his pursuit of a championship opportunity in 2025, first by pulling out of the Islam Makhachev title fight after which by headbutting Dan Hooker on the UFC Qatar ceremonial weigh-ins.
But while those incidents and Tsarukyan punching a fan at UFC 300 were blamed for the Armenian’s snub, one legend wants White to maneuver on from past problems.
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Was Arman Tsarukyan’s response to Paddy Pimblett’s UFC 324 title shot valid?
The Armenian star was ignored despite being the No. 1 contender, making weight because the UFC 317 backup, and submitting Dan Hooker for his fifth straight win.
Chael Sonnen wants Dana White to ‘forgive’ Arman Tsarukyan
Tsarukyan’s submission victory over Hooker and successful weigh-in as backup fighter for the last lightweight title fight were evidently not enough for the highest contender to make up for past mistakes.
That has disenchanted Chael Sonnen, who has advised White and the promotion to stop holding a grudge over what’s been and gone.
“Can we please forgive him?” Sonnen said regarding Tsarukyan while talking to The Schmo.
“Whatever he did to get himself on this weird purgatory, can we also do not forget that he agreed to be a backup fighter? That he did a training camp, that he flew out to Las Vegas, he went through the commission, he made weight. He was able to go in a moment’s notice.
“You get something for that,” he continued. “I need him to get something. I need him recognized. I forgive Arman Tsarukyan, and I need other people to forgive him.”
‘The Bad Guy’ himself knows a thing or two about being in White’s bad books, having upset the UFC president when he brawled with Wanderlei Silva on The Ultimate Fighter in 2014.
White reacted furiously to Sonnen and Silva’s brawl by slamming their lack of professionalism and demanding that they “show the game you’re in some respect, show yourself some respect, and let’s keep this thing cool for the remainder of the season, please.”
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The UFC still sees Arman Tsarukyan as ‘too dangerous’ for marquee events
The Armenian recently addressed the situation again himself and gave some insight into how the UFC currently views him.
While appearing on a Kick stream with Adin Ross, Tsarukyan revealed what the UFC told him in regards to the decision not to pick him as one in all the 2 challengers for interim gold on January 24.
“I used to be speculated to fight for the title after which they said, ‘You might be dangerous to push you on the primary card on Paramount.’
“Due to headbutt, pullout, (punching) fan. That’s why they said, ‘You’ve gotta wait.’ And I said okay. What can I do?
“I’ll just wait and I do know my belt isn’t gonna be like — it’s gonna be mine. I work daily due to that,” he concluded.
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