Dana White States Arman Tsarukyan Not up for Lightweight Title Track Despite UFC 317 Backup Role

UFC 317 PPV headliner set to go following Friday’s weigh-ins, but Arman Tsarukyan still in title limbo despite backup role.

Dana White States Arman Tsarukyan Not up for Lightweight Title Track Despite UFC 317 Backup Role

Dana White claims Arman Tsarukyan hasn’t earned a lightweight title shot (Source: X/IMAGO)

Anyway the wind blows, the winds of change do not favor Arman Tsarukyan for days to come. That’s per UFC CEO Dana White, who has claimed tonight’s spectacular PPV main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas won’t rubber-band Tsarukyan into a title shot equation.

Arman Tsarukyan is sitting ready for his second-string role and made championship weight for yesterday’s UFC 317 PPV Ceremonial weigh-ins. It is a backup role that the No.1-ranked lightweight has even caught flak for.

But when it did matter, and he got an exclusive shot at longtime divisional champ Islam Makhachev, the top contender pulled out of the UFC 311 weigh-ins. The #1 contender at 155 pounds might have pulled through, but neither Ilia Topuria nor Charles Oliveira has yet needed his buffer despite their weight cut struggles, and right on cue, he still might be in the doghouse for the pullout.

During a recent interview with Helen Yee Sports, Dana White discussed Arman Tsarukyan’s current standing in the lightweight division. A top shot isn’t in short order, per the UFC boss:

No, no… [But] No. It’s a good step in the right direction, let’s put it that way.

Dana White to @HelenYeeSports for #CaneloCrawford | SEP 13 | Live Global presser and staredown

While backup fighters aren’t guaranteed top shot as the legit next contender in line, though this has happened. Hence, some in the fan clique have billed whether or not Tsarukyan successfully making weight would push him beyond just the #1 contender label on athletes’ listings. He does have a decision win over current title challenger Oliveira as well.

Dana White stated that though Tsarukyan won’t inherit the top shot as title challenger, this is positive development for the 28-year-old following his humiliating pullout in January. However, no matter how much he might try, there are even other names boldly saying Tsarukyan doesn’t merit a title crack.

Paddy Pimblett warned Arman Tsarukyan to “sit and wait”

Tsarukyan built his four-win momentum over Damir Ismagulov, Joaquim Silva, Beneil Dariush, and UFC 317’s main event attraction – Charles Oliveira. But Dana White sent him packing with him not making weight, and “Ahalkalakets” settled to it, promising to work his way back.

Paddy Pimblett warns Arman Tsarukyan to ‘sit' out for title shot
Paddy Pimblett warns Arman Tsarukyan to ‘sit’ out for title shot (Source: X)

During the UFC 317 Weigh-In show, the Armenian star also wanted to be backup fighter for Dustin Poirier’s UFC 318 PPV lightweight assignment and headliner at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. He just wants to prove the good chap that he can surely make weight.

However, rival Paddy Pimblett humbly deters the notions that Arman Tsarukyan deserves a next shot when he missed his. Tsarukyan still holds the #1 lightweight spot per the UFC Athletes’ Listings, but that is a belt that Pimblett has targeted since his 2021 debut and stacked up a 7-0 stat for it in consecutive victories

A couple of months ago, I would have said yeah, but then he started chatting sh*t about me— So no, the little p*** can sit and wait, and go win a fight before he gets a title shot — Fu*k him…If Ilia wins, it wouldn’t surprise me if I end up fighting him next. But we’ll just see what happens.

Paddy Pimblett to @HelenYeeSports

Arman Tsarukyan has welcomed a summer challenge next with “Baddy”, but given his history, Pimblett thinks a Topuria win could mean he is next by default. The Scouser will be cage side for all it and has veered to UFC brass and matchmakers for booking a superfight with Topuria.

Meanwhile, Tsarukyan may have to compete against other fighters in the top 10 of the lightweight division for his opportunity at the title. So far, he did reject a fight against Mateusz Gamrot. As such, it remains to be seen which opponent faces Tsarukyan with title shot implications on the line.

Also Read: