Some fans imagine that Arman Tsarukyan ought to be the subsequent in line for a shot on the lightweight title.
The #1 contender within the lightweight division withdrew from his title fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 ahead of the weigh-ins attributable to a back injury.
After weighing in because the backup fighter at UFC 317 this past weekend, though this has earned fighters a title shot up to now, this doesn’t seem like the case for Tsarukyan.
Tsarukyan even blamed Joe Rogan for the face-off between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett contained in the cage which seemingly arrange the brand new champion’s first title defense.
In a recent interview, the 28-year-old revealed details of the recent fights that he has been offered and why they didn’t find yourself happening as he continues to chase the 155-pound gold.
Arman Tsarukyan reveals why his fights with Justin Gaethje and Mateusz Gamrot didn’t occur after UFC 311
In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Arman Tsarukyan was asked whether he believes that his decision to withdraw from UFC 311 led to the promotion being annoyed at him.
He disputed this by stating that if the UFC were frustrated by his decision, they wouldn’t have offered him several big fights since then.
Tsarukyan then shared details of the 2 matchups that were offered to him and why they didn’t come to fruition.
The highest lightweight contender was certainly one of the names in contention to interchange Dan Hooker and face Justin Gaethje at UFC 313, but he claims that ‘The Highlight’ selected Rafael Fiziev as a substitute.
“It was 9 or 8 days before and I used to be 186 or 187 (kilos). I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll fight. I’ll save the fight but I would like a catchweight.’ Gaethje didn’t wish to fight me. He picked Fiziev.”
Tsarukyan also said that he was offered a rematch with Mateusz Gamrot for the important event of the Octagon’s return to Abu Dhabi on July 26, which can now be headlined by Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder.
He spoke in a previous interview about receiving a “disrespectful” offer to fight on this card, though he didn’t specifically mention that it was to fight Gamrot.
Despite previously stating that he “deserved higher” than this matchup, Tsarukyan revealed that his decision to show this matchup down was attributable to each men training out of American Top Team.
“We’re from one gym and we train on the identical mats. That’s why I said are you able to give me someone different because I don’t need that drama again. It’s so difficult to have your training camp whenever you’re fighting with a man from the identical gym.”
Arman Tsarukyan claims he’d relatively fight at featherweight than move as much as welterweight
While the present UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has spoken about wanting to compete at welterweight in the longer term, this isn’t on the cards for Arman Tsarukyan.
The 28-year-old was asked throughout the interview whether he desires to test himself at 170-pounds throughout his profession, but he quickly dismissed this concept.
Tsarukyan also looked to dispel the notion that he struggles with making weight, stating that this has turn out to be a false narrative following one comment from Dana White.
“Hell no. I’d relatively go to 145 before I’d fight at 170. I mean bro, Dana just said that s— once. I all the time make the burden.”