"It's simply too risky..." Arman Tsarukyan sheds light on the UFC's reasoning behind his controversial omission from a title shot.
Arman Tsarukyan has openly shared the details of his conversation with the UFC regarding his exclusion from a highly anticipated championship opportunity. Fans are understandably upset about the choice made for the main event of the UFC's inaugural 2026 event, which will be streamed on Paramount+.
This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the leading mixed martial arts organization at UFC 324, where Paddy Pimblett is set to face Justin Gaethje for a newly established interim lightweight title.
The uproar stems from the UFC's decision to overlook Tsarukyan, who is currently the top contender and recently achieved his fifth consecutive victory by submitting Dan Hooker, all while serving as the backup fighter at UFC 317. Despite his valid grievances, the Armenian athlete has not publicly expressed the level of frustration that many fans anticipated. This restraint may stem from an understanding that his previous actions have placed him in a less favorable position.
- REWIND: Colby Covington reached out to Joe Rogan with an apology after admitting he had crossed a line in the past.*
Did Arman Tsarukyan's response to Paddy Pimblett receiving the title shot truly make sense? It's important to note that despite being ranked as the No. 1 contender, Tsarukyan found himself sidelined. He not only made weight as the backup for UFC 317 but also secured his impressive victory over Dan Hooker.
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Tsarukyan revealed that during their discussion, the UFC described him as "too dangerous" to feature in the debut card on Paramount.
He recounted, "I was set to fight for the title, but they informed me, 'You're too dangerous to be pushed onto the first Paramount card.' They referenced my headbutt incident, my last-minute withdrawal, and the altercation with a fan at UFC 300 as reasons. Thus, they concluded, 'You need to wait.' I accepted that; what more could I do?
"I’ll remain patient, as I know the belt will eventually be mine. I'm working hard every day with that goal in mind," he added with determination.
- LATEST UPDATE: Jon Jones recently hailed an undefeated UFC prodigy as the "toughest fighter on the planet" who could triumph at any weight class.*
As Tsarukyan navigates the uncertain waters of his next move within the UFC, he is keeping himself engaged in the grappling arena. As he prepares for his Real American Freestyle debut against former PFL champion Lance Palmer this Saturday, he is already pushing for additional matchups.
According to Hype FC CEO Armand Martirosian, discussions are ongoing for Tsarukyan to grapple with Dustin Poirier in February. "I’m unsure if I should disclose this or not," Martirosian mentioned during an interview on Jason Takhtadjian's YouTube channel.
"We have talked with Dustin Poirier about setting up a grappling match against Arman in February. While he hasn't signed a contract yet, our conversation took place," he continued. "He might be the opponent for Arman. If not, we also have another individual in mind whose return is highly anticipated by the entire MMA community. I won’t reveal who it is, but everyone is eagerly awaiting it."
What are your predictions for a grappling matchup between Dustin Poirier and Arman Tsarukyan? 🤼
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'The Diamond' officially ended his career at UFC 318 in New Orleans, where he faced off against Max Holloway in a five-round battle for the symbolic BMF title.
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