Arman Tsarukyan ‘waiting for Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje’ – but next UFC fight could be Charles Oliveira

Arman Tsarukyan claims the UFC has told him he will fight the winner of Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje.

Lightweight king Topuria makes the first defence of his belt against current interim champion Gaethje in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 on June 14.

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The clash was announced during UFC 326 this past weekend and headlines the promotion’s historic show on the South Lawn of the White House.

While Gaethje is rightfully the next in line, having won the interim belt against Paddy Pimblett in January, many MMA fans believe it should be Tsarukyan in there with Topuria.

Tsarukyan, who is on a five-fight winning streak in the UFC, has been the No. 1 contender at lightweight for well over a year now.

However, the 29-year-old has been ostracised by boss Dana White in title conversations due to his behaviour, which includes punching a fan en route to the Octagon and headbutting Dan Hooker before his last win at UFC Qatar.

Furthermore, Tsarukyan was involved in a viral brawl at a Real American Freestyle last month, prompting White to assert he’s ‘not thrilled’ with his lightweight star.

Well, Tsarukyan’s antics outside the Octagon may well actually pay dividends down the line.

Arman Tsarukyan expects title shot soon

“We are waiting for the Ilia vs Justin fight, and after that I’ll fight them,” Tsarukyan told Michael Bisping on the Jaxxon podcast when speaking about his future.

“It’s not official but [the UFC] said it like that.”

Tsarukyan added that he was also told he could fight the winner of Max Holloway‘s headliner with Charles Oliveira at UFC 326.

Oliveira, of course, came out on top in the BMF title clash, but the Brazilian fought and lost to Tsarukyan as recently as UFC 300 in April 2024.

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“I don’t want to wait too much, so if they offer me Oliveira or Holloway, I’ll fight them,” Tsarukyan added.

“I don’t want to wait one year for my next fight. I just want to stay active and fight because I love what I’m doing.

“I’m still young, so I want to get experience from the fights, get my belt and defend it as much as possible.”

Tsarukyan has already been offered a title shot at lightweight, pulling out of his scheduled headliner against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 on short notice.

‘Ahalkalakets’ was heavily criticised by the MMA world for his withdrawal as Makhachev, who has since gone on to win gold at welterweight, submitted Renato Moicano instead.

Makhachev defeated Tsarukyan in the latter’s first UFC fight seven years ago and there’s no doubt that’s a fight the latter wants to get back.

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But for now, the Armenian is pursuing a lightweight title shot, and only time will tell if his unwillingness to wait on the sidelines leads to a fight with Oliveira or the winner of Topuria-Gaethje.

Tsarukyan also noted that he would be willing to move down to 145lbs to fight featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski if the opportunity is presented.

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