Arman Tsarukyan Says UFC Brass Offered Him Title Shot But Justin Gaethje May Consider Retirement

The next title shot in the UFC lightweight division is expected to be given to Arman Tsarukyan after his stunning UFC 331 performance

Arman Tsarukyan Says UFC Brass Offered Him Title Shot But Justin Gaethje May Consider Retirement

Arman Tsarukyan wants Justin Gaethje title fight next (Image via MMA Fighting)

Arman Tsarukyan cemented his place in the UFC lightweight title picture with a knockout victory over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. The Armenian contender was kept out of the title picture for pulling out of UFC 311 against Islam Makhachev. Now, the fans want to see him fight for the title.

Recognizing the growing popularity of Tsarukyan, the promotion placed him in the co-main event spot against Ruffy at UFC 331 in Los Angeles. His collaboration with streamers and competing in wrestling bouts definitely improved his profile outside the UFC.

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, ‘The Batman’ revealed that the promotion promised him a title before and after UFC 331. The lightweight contender admitted that the UFC brass liked how much he changed from his controversial past.

They were happy with my performance and they said, ‘We’re going to work on your title fight.’ This time I was a good boy. I didn’t do something crazy. They liked how the crowd was there, how fight week went and everything. They can see I’m professional, and they can see that I can knock people out and perform very well.

Arman Tsarukyan told Ariel Helwani

At the same time, he will have to wait until 2027 to get his title shot. This is because Justin Gaethje will not return until next year after not having recovered from injuries.

Moreover, Arman Tsarukyan doesn’t think that the undisputed lightweight champion will fight him next. This is because the promotion recently discussed a rematch between Gaethje and Ilia Topuria. Due to that, Tsarukyan believed that Gaethje would retire rather than fight him next.

If they give him the opportunity to pick me or Ilia, he would pick Ilia because he already beat him. He knows he can beat him twice. I’d be very happy to fight him because I know he has a couple more fights and he’s going to retire. It would be amazing to have him on my win streak.

Arman Tsarukyan told Ariel Helwani

The promotion has put on fights that makes more money than the ones that makes sense in recent time. Sean O’Malley got a rematch after losing the bantamweight belt to Merab Dvalishvili. With that pattern, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Topuria got the title shot next.

Then, there is also the option of Paddy Pimblett as a potential opponent for Topuria. Dana White likes the matchup between Pimblett and Topuria. As such, the promotion could book Gaethje vs Tsarukyan and Topuria vs Pimblett for next year. Anything can happen moving forward.

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Arman Tsarukyan predicts Paddy Pimblett vs Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria and his camp remains insistent on wanting a rematch with Justin Gaethje next. To that end, ‘El Matador’ accused Gaethje of tampering the gloves before fighting him at UFC Freedom 250. However, Tsarukyan’s win at UFC 331 may result in Topuria not getting his rematch.

Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett is a toss up says Arman Tsarukyan
Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett is a toss up says Arman Tsarukyan (Image via ESPN/UFC.com)

If the Armenian contender gets the next title shot, that leaves Topuria and Pimblett without an opponent. Without a title on the line, many think that Topuria vs Pimblett can headline a numbered UFC event on their own. After all, they are both at a superstar level in the UFC.

With the potential superfight looming, Tsarukyan predicted how the matchup would fare between ‘El Matador’ and ‘The Baddy’.

Either [Ilia] is gonna look super good and knock out Paddy, or he’s gonna lose to him because Paddy has a good chin and good cardio. Maybe Ilia is gonna be more motivated, more hungry, locked in and become way better than he was before.

Arman Tsarukyan told Ariel Helwani

Pimblett recently submitted Benoit Saint-Denis in the first round at UFC 329 to silence all his doubters. The British lightweight is more confident than ever in his ability to defeat his rival. As such, Topuria vs Pimblett remains a massive fight for the fans as well as the future of the lightweight division.

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