Arman Tsarukyan’s road to the UFC lightweight championship has hit a major roadblock—not from an opponent, but from his own actions.
Despite a dominant submission victory over Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, Tsarukyan has been officially denied a shot at undisputed champion Ilia Topuria. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that a headbutt during the ceremonial weigh-ins, combined with a history of late withdrawals, has “blackballed” the #1 contender from the immediate title picture.
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Professionalism Over Performance: The Dan Hooker Incident
The drama peaked during the UFC Qatar fight week when tensions boiled over during the face-offs. Tsarukyan delivered a headbutt to Dan Hooker, an act that White says “100% factored in” to the promotion’s decision-making.
“When you’re on the brink of a championship, your behaviour off the octagon matters,” White noted. While Hooker did not escalate the situation, the UFC handled the discipline internally by bypassing Tsarukyan for the next big title opportunity.
The Shadow of UFC 311: Why the Makhachev Withdrawal Still Matters
It isn’t just the headbutt that has soured the UFC’s relationship with the Armenian star. Many analysts point back to UFC 311, where Tsarukyan withdrew from a highly anticipated title fight against Islam Makhachev just 24 hours before the scale due to a back injury.
This “unreliability factor” has led the UFC to pivot toward more active and compliant stars, specifically setting up an interim title fight at UFC 324 between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.
Paddy Pimblett Stokes the Fire
Never one to miss an opportunity to stir the pot, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett has been vocal about Tsarukyan’s predicament. Pimblett recently mocked Tsarukyan’s win over Hooker, claiming the Kiwi fighter “couldn’t grapple,” which has sparked a secondary feud between Pimblett and Hooker.
“He’s the epitome of unreliable,” Pimblett stated in a recent interview. “He punches fans, he headbutts fighters, and then he pulls out of his biggest fights. Why would the UFC give him the title shot?”
Tsarukyan’s Path Back: The UFC 324 Backup Role
Despite being snubbed for the main slot, Tsarukyan is not sitting idle. He has expressed his readiness to serve as the official backup for the Gaethje vs. Pimblett interim title bout on January 24, 2026.
“I will be ready,” Tsarukyan insisted. “I’m heading to Las Vegas to stay in shape. If someone trips over a wire or gets sick, I will show why I am the real #1.”
FAQ: Arman Tsarukyan and the UFC Title Picture
Why was Arman Tsarukyan denied a title shot? Dana White cited the headbutt against Dan Hooker and his late withdrawal from the UFC 311 title fight as the primary reasons for bypassing him.
Who is fighting for the interim lightweight title? Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will fight for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026.
Is Arman Tsarukyan the backup for UFC 324? Tsarukyan has offered to serve as the backup fighter, though the UFC has yet to officially confirm if he will be the primary replacement if Gaethje or Pimblett withdraw.
