Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje back-up fighter announced for UFC White House main event

The main event of the UFC White House card will be saved if either Ilia Topuria or Justin Gaethje withdraw.

Topuria and Gaethje are set to headline the historic bill on the south lawn of the White House in Washington on 14 June.

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The event plotted by US president Donald Trump and UFC kingpin Dana White will be one of the biggest sporting spectacles in the nation’s history.

A host of the roster’s biggest names campaigned for a spot on the event but it will be Topuria and Gaethje in the main slot for the lightweight title.

Of course, as for many combat sports events, contingency plans need to be put in place in the case that injuries happen in training camp.

Lightweight leading contender Arman Tsarukyan had campaigned relentless to be on standby in case either Topuria or Gaethje withdraw.

And White has now confirmed that the Armenian is officially registered as the back-up fighter to the main event clash.

He explained:  “We’re talking about Arman’s next fight.

“So Arman is the backup for the White House fight. If anything happens to that fight, Armen is in there.

“Yeah, I mean, listen, the run he’s been on is impressive.

“When you end up sideways, you do some dumb s**t.

“He’s got out there and made people want to f**king see him. That’s a fact.”

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Why is Tsarukyan the back-up for Topuria vs Gaethje?

For a lengthy period, Tsarukyan has been pleading for a shot at the 155lbs title.

But organisers were reluctant to grant him the opportunity after he pulled out of a previous shot at Islam Makhachev.

Also, the talented operator is not considered a big-selling pay-per-view name in the division.

And as a result of his commercial shortcomings, the UFC have deemed it preferential that an American in Gaethje takes the slot.

Nonetheless, Tsarukyan has been on an impressive winning streak of five fights since losing to Mateusz Gamrot in 2022.

He believes he has deserved the shot and cemented his name in the pecking order after beating Dan Hooker late last year.

UFC Schedule

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