The lightweight division in the UFC seemingly has a plethora of potential candidates to challenge Ilia Topuria for the Lightweight belt. Yet, there seems there be no obvious contender who deserves the next shot above everyone. Arman Tsarukyan, who was due to challenge Islam Makhachev in January at UFC 311 for the belt before pulling out due to injury, is seemingly in a precarious position, despite being Number One in the rankings at lightweight. Speaking at the UFC 311 post-fight presser back in January, Dana White said, “He’s going back to the drawing board. I don’t want anybody to fight hurt ever. We’ve been in these positions before…You miss opportunities sometimes, and he did. We’ll have to see how this plays out for him next year.”
White’s comments have left Tsarukyan in a position where he is more than likely going to need to fight once more before he gets a shot at the title. He has not fought since UFC 300 back in April 2024, where he defeated Charles Oliveira via split decision. The Armenian does seem willing to take a fight, as he has called out former Interim Champion Justin Gaethje.
Speaking on Chuck Liddell’s Out Cold show, Tsarukyan said, “Of course I want Islam (Makhachev), but right now, it makes sense to fight Gaethje, because he just beat the No. 11 or so Fiziev.” Tsarukyan added, “He doesn’t deserve a title fight. That’s 100%, because he just lost Holloway. Beat, on short notice, Fiziev. Fiziev knew about the fight five days before, and he won, barely, by a decision. Now he’s talking about a title fight. It’s not fair. I think he’s got to beat me to deserve to fight for the title.”
Justin Gaethje has been adamant over the last few months about his claim to a shot at the title, but it does seem likely that both fighters will need a win to secure the next title shot. It is definitely an interesting time in the lightweight division as a number of candidates for next in line, including Gaethjie, Tsarukyan, Max Holloway and of course, Paddy Pimblett, who notoriously got into the cage to face off against Topuria after the Spaniard won the belt last month.
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