Charles Oliveira’s spot in trouble as Arman Tsarukyan calls dibs on title shot if Islam Makhachev vacates title

Arman Tsarukyan throws his name into the hat to fight for the UFC 155-pound strap if Islam Makhachev vacates for a shift up.

Charles Oliveira’s spot in trouble as Arman Tsarukyan calls dibs on title shot if Islam Makhachev vacates title

Arman Tsarukyan wants in on a UFC title crack if Islam Makhachev vacates (Source: X)

Arman Tsarukyan vibes with UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev’s hesitation in fighting current/former featherweight competition names. However, that does not mean the Armenian won’t call his shots if Makhachev goes up to welterweight limits. Patiently, the Armenian lightweight is hoping for the best possible outcome.

Not long ago, Arman Tsarukyan was the legit UFC 155-pound top seed for gold. However, UFC 311 PPV late ceremonial weigh-ins tabbed him out of it due to a sudden back injury. Later, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed as much on IG. The last man he won over, Charles Oliveira, also has top contender treatment promise, and hopes for his rematch. Nevertheless, Tsarukyan wants his pound of flesh first.

Now [Islam] is deciding whether he will stay at 155 or move to 170. The situation is unclear now…Right now I am not in the title race, because I got injured, my turn has passed, but if there is [a fight] for the vacant title – I will fight for the vacant title. If [Islam] stays [at lightweight], he will fight with someone. Most likely, it will be Topuria. And after Topuria, he will fight with me if I win another fight or, let’s say, if no new name comes up. In mid-May, it will be clear when my next fight will be…

Arman Tasrukyan in a media interview via MONK3 (H/T: @ChampRDS on X)

Islam Makhachev does not want to fight featherweights and is opting for other lightweight names; Tsarukyan was a short-notice name he faced once. Additionally, Makhachev also hasn’t wanted to face friend Belal Muhammad if he does go up to 170 pounds. Hence, he has waited out for the May 10th PPV card (UFC 315) at Bell Centre in Montreal.

Given Muhammad wins and opts a 185-pound shift, or even loses his belt, Makhachev could formulate his next steps. While unlikely for now with the momentum he had, there’s a chance the Dagestani star might vacate the lightweight crown. If and when that happened, Tsarukyan wants in. If not, he isn’t unwilling to work through it again.

An Oliveira rematch is under his radar for top contender spot. After outpointing Rafael Fiziev at the UFC 313 PPV thriller, Justin Gaethje is also in the running for a gold crack. As such, the 28-year-old is going without a booking; he did, however, take his first steps back in for a return fight.

Arman Tsarukyan calls out champ Islam Makhachev after winning Karate Combat 54 grappling tint

UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan saw his first form of combat action in a while after his last PPV title pullout. Islam Makhachev has made easy work of anyone UFC matchmakers placed in front of him, including late-notice Renato Moicano. But Tsarukyan wants to be the name he can’t get rid of easily, in a second coming.

Arman Tsarukyan challenges Islam Makhachev after grappling pit win
Arman Tsarukyan challenges Islam Makhachev after grappling pit win (Source: X)

To that end, Tsarukyan returned to active competition this Friday. He was part of a grappling affair contested at 175 pounds vs. Makasharip Zaynukov at Karate Combat 54 in Dubai. The Team ATT fighter worked his way to a UD win over the course of the two, five-minute rounds. Soon after, he took to his mic time to call out Islam Makhachev.

It feels great, …I haven’t fought in one year, so that’s why I came and wrestled today. My opponent is a very tough guy…No one knows him a lot because he fights in Russia, but he’s from a very strong team. He didn’t want to wrestle too much. I like offense, and he was trying to escape from me for 10 minutes — [Now] I need another guy from Khabib’s team [with Makhachev]… Let’s do it again.

Arman Tsarukyan during KC54 Post-fight interview

Tsarukyan debuted after Road FC 43 and the Gods Of War World MMA Championship and gave Makhachev quite a run for his money. It is something he plans on again. His current four-fight streak includes Damir Ismagulov, Joaquim Silva, Beneil Dariush, and a decision (29-28, 29-28, and 28-29) over the gritty ‘Do Bronx’ that cemented his top contender spot.

Dana White has been reluctant to rebook him against Makhachev just yet. If not a title bout, a title elimination bout could be the best possible outcome for the Armenian fighter.

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