No. 2-ranked UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has revealed that he’s been in direct talks with UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell about fighting for the 155-pound title later this 12 months, with September or October being the goal timeline.
🚨👀 Arman Tsarukyan reveals he has recently been in talks with Hunter Campbell about fighting for the lightweight title, with options of doubtless fighting in September or October.
“I already talked with Hunter, now we have a few options – fighting for the lightweight title… pic.twitter.com/KZFhiZ1rRX
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) March 2, 2026
“I already talked to Hunter a few weeks ago. We got a few options,” Tsarukyan told Ariel Helwani on The Ariel Helwani Show this past Monday. “Like title fights, like just fights. Any title fight. 170, 145, 155. Fighting for the 155-pound title in September or October, after Justin”.
The timeline is sensible if you have a look at the larger picture. Undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is anticipated to face two-time interim champion Justin Gaethje in an enormous title unification bout, reportedly being targeted for the historic UFC White House event on June 14. Once that fight is settled, the door swings wide open for Tsarukyan to challenge for the strap.
There are also two key fights that would shape the landscape heading into the autumn. This Saturday at UFC 326, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira takes on Max Holloway for the BMF title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The results of that bout, combined with the Topuria-Gaethje end result, will likely determine Tsarukyan’s exact path to the title.
A Long Time Coming
For Tsarukyan, this has been a fight brewing for over a 12 months. The 29-year-old Armenian wrecking machine holds knowledgeable MMA record of 23-3 and has been on a tear, winning five of his last six bouts contained in the Octagon. His most up-to-date UFC appearance got here in November 2025 when he submitted Dan Hooker via arm-triangle choke within the most important event of UFC Fight Night 265 in Qatar.
It is a sub within the second!
Arman Tsarukyan gets the finish over Dan Hooker #UFCQatar pic.twitter.com/iU0fcmdTdU
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) November 22, 2025
Despite being widely considered essentially the most deserving contender within the division, Tsarukyan has been repeatedly omitted for a title shot. Incidents like punching a fan at UFC 300, headbutting Hooker before their fight, and a hernia-related pullout from UFC 311 have all complicated his standing with the UFC brass.
Staying Lively and Controversial
Even while waiting for his shot, Tsarukyan hasn’t been sitting idle. He’s been competing in freestyle wrestling and grappling events, most recently defeating Georgio Poullas 6-4 at RAF 06 in Tempe, Arizona, a match that resulted in a wild post-match brawl when Tsarukyan punched Poullas after the ultimate bell. A grappling rematch between the 2 is already set for March 11 at Hype FC in Rio de Janeiro.
Chaos erupts between Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas. Crazy scene at RAF pic.twitter.com/u9uusFatBH
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) March 1, 2026
Tsarukyan, nonetheless, believes the UFC shouldn’t have any problem along with his antics. “They must be completely satisfied that a UFC fighter didn’t let anyone beat him,” he said. “UFC fighter primary went into freestyle wrestling, beat the freestyle wrestler, and showed the extent of the UFC”.
With the pieces falling into place and conversations with the UFC’s power brokers trending in the best direction, Arman Tsarukyan appears closer than ever to finally getting his long-awaited shot at lightweight gold. The one query now, will the UFC let him within the cage before he starts one other brawl?