Arman Tsarukyan hints at new fight by mocking Charles Oliveira’s iconic UFC one-liner: “The number one contender has a name”
Lightweight top contender Arman Tsarukyan eyes Charles Oliveira rematch in return fight after UFC 311 PPV injury withdrawal.
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Arman Tsarukyan ‘ready’ for Charles Oliveira fight in UFC return after UFC 311 (Source: X/IMAGO)
UFC CEO Dana White sent lightweight top seed Arman Tsarukyan “back to the drawing board” after his UFC 311 PPV withdrawal. However, Tsarukyan know his top status will not just go void. He’s ready to work through it, but the Armenian star also means business. To that end, he calls on another recent fighter promised title crack – Charles Oliveira.
Arman Tsarukyan won his top contender spot against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300, last April. He decisioned the gritty specialist “Do Bronx” (29-28, 29-28, and 28-29) with two scorecards in his favor. Since then, Oliveira himself has also cemented his stake with another win over Michael Chandler. Now, Tsarukyan remixed Oliveira’s iconic one-liner to issue a callout.
The number one contender has a name, and it’s Arman Tsarukyan. If anyone wants to be the number one contender, they need to fight me—I’m ready and open. Don’t be afraid to say my name. I promise, I won’t hit too hard.
Arman Tsarukyan via IG (@arm_011)
The challenge touted by “the No. 1-ranked contender” is along what Charles Oliveira says for himself. “The champion has a name…” he says; Oliveira guarantees it’ll be him again. He lost his bid to capture the vacant strap against current 155-pound king Islam Makhachev at UFC 280. However, both he and Tsarukyan are big bets for the gold.
This isn’t the first time that “Ahalkalakets” has challenged “Do Bronx,” one that fans even jibed at him given he pulled out. Charles Oliveira though has other plans. The UFC typically holds International Fight Week in June at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While yet unannounced, he wants a 155-pound “BMF” challenge against Max Holloway. The plan comes from the Hawaiian himself.
Max Holloway proposes BMF title showdown with Charles Oliveira at International Fight Week
At UFC 311, “Do Bronx” expressed his desire to rematch current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Oliveira later told UFC Brasil he’d face “Blessed” for the BMF title if Makhachev rests until October. Charles Oliveira met Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) last, a decade ago. But their UFC Fight Night 74 bout in August came to an abrupt end due to an injury.
Holloway bagged the BMF silver belt by knocking out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 PPV. A clear KOTY top spot for multiple media outlets, it slated his ceiling at a 155-pound rerun. He was in active consideration to climb the lightweight ladder soon. However, Holloway faced another defeat at featherweight.
This has internally greenlit his desire to make the lightweight move permanent. With names like Arman Tsarukyan in the cog working up, he and Oliveira both remain big draws. A win over the other hoists them to title talks, undoubtedly. Hence, Holloway responded to the quote shared by @ChampRDS on X with a short and simple answer. Thereby, suggesting a date for the BMF showdown after UFC 311’s fallout.
International Fight Week?
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) January 21, 2025
If this booking ends up being the next big PPV, Oliveira has the edge. He would come on following a Fight of the Night unanimous decision win in November. But Holloway is not someone to dismiss out of hand. For now, though, it’s looking at all things “Do Bronx.”
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