Teammates Khamzat Chimaev and Arman Tsarukyan Details Facing Tough Choices in UFC Right Now

UFC stars Khamzat Chimaev and Arman Tsarukyan became close friends after coaching Russia's ALF Reality show.

Teammates Khamzat Chimaev and Arman Tsarukyan Details Facing Tough Choices in UFC Right Now

Arman Tsarukyan and Khamzat Chimaev (Image via Yahoo Sports)

Khamzat Chimaev lost his undefeated record this year in a shocking upset at UFC 328. Meanwhile, Arman Tsarukyan is gearing up for his first UFC bout of 2026 this weekend at UFC 331 against rising star Mauricio Ruffy. Chimaev and Tsarukyan faces a tough situation right now.

For Tsarukyan, UFC CEO Dana White and other matchmakers have not taken a liking to him despite his popularity. This is partly due to the controversies that the Armenian contender is attracting to himself like headbutting an opponent before a fight or attacking a fan for insulting him.

The lightweight contender understands the brevity of the situation and how much trouble he’s in if he cannot win at UFC 331. As such, Tsarukyan explained why losing to Ruffy at UFC 331 could forever block him from accomplishing his dreams.

He is I feel like the best striker right now in our division, I’m taking Mauricio Ruffy like it’s a title fight. Every fight for me is important, give all myself in training camp and if I’m gonna lose this fight I’m never gonna see a title fight.

Arman Tsarukyan said

The Armenian contender was kept out of the title picture multiple times after withdrawing from his UFC 311 title fight. As such, Arman Tsarukyan understood that the promotion would prevent him from having a title fight if he cannot win.

Meanwhile, Chimaev is considering sitting the rest of 2026 if he cannot get a fight in the UFC. After losing at UFC 328, ‘Borz’ called for a title rematch against Sean Strickland. However, the promotion decided to go ahead with Strickland vs Nassourdine Imavov later this year.

This left Chimaev needing other opponents, but the UFC has not offered him any fights. The Chechen superstar is considered an injury prone fighter, and admitted that he may need a break to heal from injuries.

If nothing happens in October or December, I’ll take a little break. I have a lot of injuries that I need to get treated. I go into every fight with some kind of problem. People already know that. I just get sick often. I don’t have half of my thyroid gland. I’ve been under anesthesia seven times and had six surgeries. The Almighty has ordained this for me. I still have to live my life.

Khamzat Chimaev told Adam Zubayraev

With Strickland facing Imavov next, only Dricus Du Plessis and Caio Borralho are without an opponent at the moment among the top middleweights. Du Plessis lost to Chimaev last year in a one-sided fight. Hence, it may be a bit soon to rematch the duo, leaving only Borralho as the option.

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Alexander Volkanovski warns Arman Tsarukyan about Mauricio Ruffy

Since splitting from the Fighting Nerds, Mauricio Ruffy has trained with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in Australia. Volk is among the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC with a very good technical striking ability and takedown defense.

Arman Tsarukyan gets a warning from Alexander Volkanovski
Arman Tsarukyan gets a warning from Alexander Volkanovski (Image via MMA Fighting/Facebook)

Ruffy needs to improve his takedown defense and grappling to survive in the stacked lightweight division of the UFC. Just last year at UFC Paris, Benoit Saint-Denis overwhelmed Ruffy with takedown attempts before securing a submission victory.

Tsarukyan is among the best wrestlers in the lightweight division and can be a major threat to Ruffy at UFC 331. If the Brazilian cannot stop the takedowns, he will end up losing the bout.

However, Volkanovski is confident about his training partner ahead of UFC 331. The featherweight champion warned Tsarukyan that he would face uncomfortable scenarios against Ruffy this weekend.

It remains to be seen if Tsarukyan can overcome a well-prepared Ruffy to earn a title shot. Meanwhile, Ruffy can enter the title picture with a win this weekend.

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