Arman Tsarukyan Possibly Still in ‘Dog House’ With Dana White’s UFC, Despite Lightweight Title Backup Role

Although assignment as the backup for UFC 317 title fight seems like a step up for Arman Tsarukyan's career, longtime analyst has doubts.

Arman Tsarukyan Possibly Still in ‘Dog House’ With Dana White’s UFC, Despite Lightweight Title Backup Role

Arman Tsarukyan getting PPV backup role for UFC 317 might not mean all is good (Source: X/IMAGO)

A lot has shuffled within the convoluted UFC lightweight top order. No.1-ranked lightweight, Arman Tsarukyan, was part of that equation not that long ago. Having forfeited his top shot to challenge for gold, he has still become the official PPV title backup at UFC 317. But all might not be good.

Arman Tsarukyan’s weigh-in day UFC 311 PPV pullout meant that he lost his spot as the 155-pound top seed for gold to challenge Islam Makhachev. It also left a mark on UFC CEO and headman Dana White, who sent the Armenian back to square one to work his way up contention ladder, and he acclimated with it. Meanwhile, Renato Moicano challenged the promotion’s #1 P4P fighter.

He wasn’t the first contender to vie to win the 155-pound belt Makhachev left behind to fight in a different weight class. Ilia Topuria and Oliveira both had promises of title shots next, and the honor went to them. However, Tsarukyan is now the PPV backup fighter for those two. But, he isn’t outside the dogpile of trouble yet, per ESPN desk post-fight analyst and fight coach Din Thomas.

I don’t think it means he’s out of the dog house, …I think it means he gets the consolation prize because Justin Gaethje will probably get the next shot, and Justin Gaethje said, ‘I’m not cutting weight to be a backup. I want the title shot’…So I think by default, Arman Tsarukyan was the only guy they could go to for this, and Arman is going to do whatever he can to get himself out of the dog house – had to say yes.

Din Thomas on The Bohnfire, Ep. 36 w/ MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn

Tied as the third-most for FOTN post-fight bonuses, Justin Gaethje shares that space with a spectacular 14 fight-night bonuses in 14 ballot fights. The human ‘Highlight’ is 3-2 in his last few and fresh off a PPV thriller rematch win over Rafael Fiziev.

Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz (also reps Team Makhachev), said he didn’t want to make the hydration unless it’s for a title shot next, and hence Tsarukyan got his backup role to make championship weight at 155.

But, in the event that his PPV backup role as a reserve combatant is no longer required, it remains to be seen what Tsarukyan’s subsequent maneuver and route back will be. After UFC 317, a clear next challenger has not been identified, though it is believed by Thomas that Gaethje will be given that opportunity as the next successor to challenge for gold.

Charles Oliveira once billed it’s not possible for Arman Tsarukyan to defeat champ Islam Makhachev head-on

“Ahalkalakets” didn’t actually have to start at square one; having had momentum and a win over top contender and #2 lightweight Charles Oliveira, first order of business was to call first shot at gold. With UFC 317 PPV main event set for the Summer IFW slot, he wanted a matchup with the surging 155-pounder Paddy Pimblett as well. The Englishman entered top 10 not that long ago and would be a sufficient step-up to top shot.

Arman Tsarukyan projected to not fare well against Islam Makhachev
Arman Tsarukyan projected to not fare well against Islam Makhachev (Source: X)

Other than that, both he and Gaethje welcomed the implications behind Topuria’s star power and back-to-back KOs that warranted his title shot straight off the bat. But before any of this, before his supposed backup role, and even before his friction with Pimblett or Dan Hooker, Arman Tsarukyan was already on tap to face Makhachev.

Tsarukyan’s short-notice debut followed his appearances at Road FC 43 and the Gods Of War World MMA Championship. Even starting that young, he gave Makhachev a stiff test to date but dropped the affair. Now with more ripe stats of 22-3 MMA and 9-2 UFC, he has bagged nine out of 10 bouts since his 2019 loss.

Tsarukyan’s current four-fight streak includes Damir Ismagulov, Joaquim Silva, Beneil Dariush, and Oliveira. Way before UFC 311, when No.3-ranked Dustin Poirier got to try his last bid at lightweight gold, it was widely assumed Arman Tsarukyan could be next. However, Oliveira billed he wouldn’t win that matchup and didn’t walk back on it.

Arman is a guy that takes you down…and holds you there the entire time. No way. It’s not a fight he can win. Of course, I’ve just said this and I can’t backtrack, we’re talking about MMA…and it’s very unpredictable.

Charles Oliveira to Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) for MMAFighting on SBN

Oliveira lost a second-round submission in his PPV title fight against Makhachev. So, he knows firsthand what it’s like to face the #1 Pound-for-pound fighter, who submitted the submission specialist and kicked the bees out of a kickboxer, a few cards later. Makhachev’s array and skillset are wider compared to those of Tsarukyan, and if they were to ever meet, Oliveira refuses to give him a winning chance.

Also Read: